Chapter 92: Second Semester (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 92: Second Semester (1)
I tilted my head, caught off guard by Lee Sol’s words.
“Me?”
The request felt completely out of the blue. We weren't exactly close enough to be making private plans like that. After all, I’d only met her mother once before.
As I voiced my doubt, Lee Sol quickly explained.
“Well, you know my grades went up. She said she wanted to buy you a meal as a thank-you for that.”
“Ah.”
So that was it. I didn't think she’d reach out for no reason, but that was a fair justification. Then again, Lee Sol’s grades really had improved significantly during the final exams.
“If it’s uncomfortable, you don’t have to go.”
Lee Sol adjusted her bag strap, her gaze fixed on the dirt ground.
— “...If it’s too much pressure, you really don't have to come...”
Her Mini-Me fidgeted with its fingers anxiously.
It wasn't just something she was saying to be polite. It seemed like she genuinely wouldn't mind if I declined to avoid any awkwardness.
“...”
Hearing her say that made me hesitate. While I was grateful for the invitation, it was also true that it felt a bit burdensome. Lee Sol and I had completely different personalities, didn't we?
— “...Ummm.”
The Mini-Me’s eyes darted around as it tried to read my expression. I got the feeling that, deep down, she actually wanted me to come. It was hard to refuse when she was acting like that.
I gave a small nod. “Sure. Tell her I’ll stop by sometime.”
“...Okay.”
Lee Sol brushed back her hair and nodded nonchalantly. “When is a good time for you? Should we aim for after school starts?”
“Anytime is fine, as long as it’s not a day I’m working my part-time job.”
“How about next week?”
“Next week... uh, Thursday would be good.”
“Thursday...”
Lee Sol tapped away at her phone, likely marking it in her calendar app.
“If there’s anything specific you want to eat, feel free to message me.”
Lee Sol blinked languidly and started walking ahead.
“Will do.”
I gave a slight nod and lowered my gaze. Two shadows walked side by side on the pavement. I could see the Mini-Me scurrying at Lee Sol’s feet, jumping up and down with a silly, triumphant grin on its face.
“...”
Since she was that happy about it, I guess I made the right choice.
— “...”
Nearby, Shin A-young’s Mini-Me rested its chin on its hand with a dead-serious expression.
— “He said he met Nuri, too... and now it’s Sol...”
It folded its fingers one by one, counting. Only the index finger remained.
— “...Should I invite him to our house, too?”
A small murmur drifted out from the manifestation.
“...”
I felt a cold sweat break out on my forehead.
Please, don't do that. Your father definitely doesn't like me.
*
A few days after returning from vacation.
I was moving busily around the fast-food restaurant. Vacation was vacation, but the part-time job grind never stopped. Still, it was almost time to clock out.
Swish, swish—
I mopped the floor until it was shiny and smooth.
“I’m done once I finish cleaning the lobby, right?”
“Yes.”
At my question, Ha Seo-rim nodded blankly while tidying the area in front of the register.
— “Hmm...”
Ha Seo-rim’s Mini-Me held its head high with a rigid posture. It looked around like a meerkat on high alert.
— “Ah, there’s sauce over there.”
She was right. I spotted a faint smudge of sauce on a distant table. She was incredibly meticulous.
“...”
Rub, rub—
I wiped the table where the sauce had spilled.
“Phew.”
That was the last of them. Just a few more things to tidy up and I could finally go home. I was moving my hands, already humming about leaving in my head, when...
“...Did you have a good vacation?”
Ha Seo-rim suddenly spoke up.
“...”
I glanced around. The lobby was empty, and everyone else was busy cleaning the kitchen. Was she actually talking to me?
“School starts soon, after all.”
Ha Seo-rim’s gaze was directed straight at me. She was definitely initiating conversation.
“Uh... it was alright, I guess? I went to Gimhae this time.”
I was surprised she spoke to me out of nowhere. Flustered, I even ended up telling her exactly where I’d been. She didn't usually do this; what was with the sudden change?
“Ah, I see.”
She was the one who asked, but her reaction was lackluster.
— “...”
The area under the Mini-Me’s eyes was twitching. Her wariness was still there, but in her own way, she was forcing herself to make conversation. Seriously, what was going on?
“...Where did you go during the break?” I asked back, thinking I should at least keep the momentum going.
“Me?”
“Yeah.”
“...”
Her response was strangely delayed. I looked up from the table I was wiping.
Ha Seo-rim’s eyes were shifting. She looked like she was having trouble answering.
— “It’s a bit embarrassing to say Eurwangni Beach...”
If it was Eurwangni, she meant the local beach. She’d gone somewhere much closer than she looked. It seemed she hadn't traveled much during the break, and perhaps that was weighing on her mind.
“...I just spent it nearby,” Ha Seo-rim gave a vague answer.
“Is that so?” I nodded lightly.
I had no intention of prying further. She didn't need to be so stiff.
“Um...” Ha Seo-rim’s lips parted.
As expected, the small talk had just been ice-breaking for the real topic.
“You know Nuri Senior.”
“Yeah.”
“...Do you happen to know what he’s thinking about joining the Band Club?”
That was the main point. I wondered why she was talking to me.
“Has he still not said anything?”
“No.” Ha Seo-rim nodded slightly.
— “I feel like I’m pestering him, so it’s hard to ask...”
She was probably afraid Ji Nuri might refuse if she pushed too hard, so she couldn't even ask him directly. He was the type of guy who wouldn't care about that, though. But since Ha Seo-rim and the others didn't know him like I did, it was a natural concern.
“I did tell him to take his time with an answer back then...”
“He still hasn't replied?”
“...Yes.” Ha Seo-rim nodded quickly.
— “But since this person is close with Nuri Senior...”
She seemed uncomfortable with the fact that she had no choice but to ask me. Ha Seo-rim’s gaze remained lowered.
If he still hasn't given an answer...
I narrowed my eyes. I couldn't help but stiffen my expression at the logical conclusion that came to mind.
He probably just forgot.
“...He’s probably just thinking it over carefully. He tends to have a lot on his mind,” I said, covering for Ji Nuri. “If you ask him one more time after school starts, he’ll give you an answer.”
“Ah...”
I moved to another spot, leaving behind Ha Seo-rim, who was nodding as if she understood.
“...Hmm.”
I should ask Ji Nuri later—whether he’s actually contemplating it, or if there’s another reason.
...Though I’m almost certain he just forgot.
*
Summer vacation ended.
The break was over, but the heat showed no signs of letting up. Amidst that sweltering air, the first day of the second semester of sophomore year began.
Slide—
Shin A-young opened the back door and walked into the classroom.
“...”
Thud. She slumped into her seat.
Though she didn't express it in words, Shin A-young was exhausted. She’d been busy since the moment she arrived.
There are strangely many of them today...
The number of people who had come to confess to her was unusually high. It was almost at the level of a new school year. Just when she thought things had finally quieted down, this happened.
“...”
Shin A-young closed her eyes tightly. The one she wished would confess stayed silent, while all the wrong kids were lining up.
“?”
As she looked around, she realized something was different. Lee Seung-ho and Lee Sol were nowhere to be seen.
“Where are those two?”
They were definitely in their seats before she had been called out. They had vanished in the meantime.
“Don't know. Seung-ho called her and they went somewhere?” Ji Nuri shrugged.
“Seung-ho did?”
“Yeah. Maybe they went to the snack shop or something?”
Watching Ji Nuri nod nonchalantly, Shin A-young narrowed her eyes. It wasn't Lee Sol who called him, but Lee Seung-ho. An inexplicable, strange anxiety began to creep up on her.
“...”
Since she didn't know where they went, she sat still, figuring they’d show up if she waited.
Tap. Tap. She quietly drummed her fingers on the desk.
Just then, the back door slid open. Lee Seung-ho and Lee Sol walked in.
“Oh, you’re ba—”
Shin A-young started to speak as she looked toward them.
“Huh? What?!”
She couldn't help but raise her voice. It was a truly bizarre sight.
Stomp, stomp—
Lee Seung-ho was walking into the classroom with his arm linked firmly with Lee Sol’s.
“...!?”
Screech—!
Shin A-young’s chair flew back as she bolted upright.
“W-what are you two doing?”
“...What do you mean?” Lee Sol tilted her head, looking like she didn't see the problem.
“No, I mean, why are you like that?”
“Like what?”
“Right now, you two—”
“Mmm. Is it weird to be stuck to my boyfriend?”
Lee Sol let out a chuckle, her cheek pressed firmly against Lee Seung-ho’s arm. Shin A-young’s expression went blank.
“...You’re dating?”
“Yeah, it’s been a little while.”
“...”
“I even told my mom. She was really happy about it.” Lee Sol arched her eyebrows with a triumphant expression.
“Uh... that’s a joke, right?” Shin A-young asked with a forced laugh.
“...It’s not a joke.” Lee Sol’s face turned serious. “Want me to show you...?”
Show her what? Shin A-young felt like her brain was short-circuiting. For some reason, her arms and legs felt heavy, as if they were bound.
“...”
Lee Sol pulled on Lee Seung-ho’s tie. Their faces gradually drew closer.
“...Ah.”
Only her lips twitched as she let out a faint gasp. Their faces... slowly... very slowly, they drew closer...
And the moment their two shadows completely overlapped—
“Heeek!”
Shin A-young’s eyes snapped open.
Chirp— chirp-chirp—
The morning birdsong drifted in through the gap in the window.
“...”
Shin A-young, blinking blankly, slowly grasped the situation.
“Ah.”
It was a dream.
“...”
Shin A-young raised a trembling hand and wiped her face. The area under her eyes twitched. She was incredibly angry. What kind of dream was that?
She let the curses rising to her throat flow through her mind instead.
“Hmph...”
She rolled over and buried her face in her pillow. Tears of frustration welled up in her eyes. The dream on the first morning of the second semester was far from auspicious.
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(!Signpost!)
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Shin A-young in Summer Uniform