Chapter 93: Second Semester (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 93: Second Semester (2)
“Ugh, seriously—”
A low grumble escaped Ji Nuri’s lips.
“Of course I remember!”
Her pout was out in full force. With sharp, focused eyes, Ji Nuri began tossing various items from the snack shop into her basket.
“...”
I just let my eyes wander. Maybe I shouldn't have asked.
This all started because I’d asked her if she’d forgotten about the invitation to join the Band Club.
“I’m not that forgetful, you know?”
Did I underestimate her too much? She must have felt slighted. Bringing up something she was already self-conscious about had clearly touched a nerve.
Ji Nuri narrowed her eyes. “I was just... still thinking about it.”
I’d already heard that excuse several times.
“Right, I said I was sorry.” I nodded repeatedly.
Echoing her words, I took the basket she handed me and placed it on the counter. A banana milk, one ice cream, several bags of chips, and a few drinks. She’d picked out quite a lot.
We were supposed to be going Dutch, but since I felt bad, I decided to cover the banana milk for her.
“...”
Her gaze remained sharp, as if her anger hadn't quite subsided yet.
— “What on earth do you take me for?”
Her Mini-Me puffed out its cheeks like a balloon. It looked like it might pop if I so much as poked it.
We stepped out of the snack shop.
“Here.” I pulled Ji Nuri’s banana milk out of the bag.
Based on what her Mini-Me was saying, she intended to have this first.
“...”
Ji Nuri took the banana milk without a word. She continued to huff and puff, making it obvious she was sulking. With a sideways glance, she jabbed the straw into the carton.
Slurp—
She took a long sip.
“...”
Slurp, slurp.
With every mouthful of milk, her expression gradually softened.
— “Mmm~ It really is delicious.”
Ji Nuri marveled quietly at the taste.
— “I should stop by and buy another one before I go home.”
The Mini-Me began to hum, its footsteps turning into a skip. On the outside, she still maintained a sharp expression, but internally, she had completely mellowed out.
“...”
She’s so easy.
I’d been worrying about how to make it up to her, so I felt a little deflated.
*
Having finished our shopping, we returned to the classroom. Shin A-young was already in her seat, having arrived while we were gone. It looked like Lee Sol hadn't shown up yet.
“?”
What was up with her?
— “Sigh...”
Shin A-young was fidgeting restlessly, her leg shaking nervously. She looked like something was bothering her.
“!”
She soon spotted us, and her eyes widened.
“...Oh, you’re back?” Shin A-young welcomed us with an unusual amount of enthusiasm. “Did you go to the snack shop?” she asked, pointing at the bag.
“Yeah,” I nodded briefly.
— “Right, the snack shop.”
Shin A-young gave a small smile and returned to her seat. She quickly turned her gaze toward the window.
— “Ugh, damn it... Why did I have to have a dream like that?”
Her Mini-Me turned beet red, looking embarrassed by its previous fuss.
‘...A dream?’
I didn't know what it was about, but it clearly wasn't a very pleasant one.
After school, during club time.
As usual, I spent my time hanging out in the Counseling Club. Since it was the first day of the new semester, there wasn't much to do anyway.
“Score! There’s exactly one left.” Senior Min-ji held up the last iced tea stick from the snack bin.
“...Hmm.” She scanned the snack corner. “We need to restock.”
“I guess so,” I replied.
Since summer break had just ended, the snack bin was empty. At most, there were a few candies or powdered drink sticks that were easy to store, and even those were almost gone.
“Want to make a bet on who goes to the snack shop?”
“Should we?”
“It looks like we’ll have a lot to carry, so let’s have three people go and one person stay behind.”
Since the Club President was out on an errand, only one person could stay in the club room. Following Min-ji’s lead, Ji Nuri, Lee Sol, and I gathered in a circle.
— “...Today is the day I win.”
Min-ji’s Mini-Me muttered while looking at me. She crossed her arms, peeking through the gaps. I could see her sheer determination to win.
— “...Rock?”
Ji Nuri’s Mini-Me cast a sharp glance at Min-ji.
— “Rock.”
Min-ji’s Mini-Me nodded, shaking a fist to represent 'rock.' They were sending secret hand signals to each other.
— “Rock...”
Even Lee Sol, who was usually too lazy to go to the snack shop, joined in. The three of them exchanged brief glances.
“...”
I blinked quietly as I watched them.
‘Hmm.’
So they’re planning to gang up on me?
— “Alright, that’s one person down.”
Ji Nuri’s Mini-Me wore a devious smirk. I could hear a low, mischievous chuckle.
I asked Senior Min-ji, “...One round, right?”
“Of course.”
“No complaining if you lose.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She nodded quickly, stifling a laugh.
“Rock-paper-scissors, if you don't play, you lose!”
*
Slurp—
“Mmm.”
The iced tea that Senior Min-ji didn't get to drink was incredibly sweet. I enjoyed a moment of leisure, watching anime on my phone.
Slide—
“Hello.”
The club room door opened, and Shin A-young walked in.
“...You’re early.”
She was earlier than usual. Unless it was exam period, she usually didn't come at all or came late because she was busy with the Drama Club. Was there no club activity today?
“Just because.” Shin A-young nodded slightly and looked around. “Where is everyone else?”
“At the snack shop to buy snacks.”
“Everyone?”
“No, the Club President went to the teachers' office for a bit.”
When I told her everyone else was out, Shin A-young chuckled and set her bag on the floor. “I guess you won rock-paper-scissors.”
“...”
I nodded without a word. I had been winning a lot lately.
‘Maybe I should start losing.’
It felt like my image was becoming too fixed. Next time, I’d have to read the room and lose on purpose.
“What are you watching?”
Shin A-young plopped down in the seat next to me. She leaned in, peeking at my phone screen.
“...Someone recommended it to me.”
Ji Nuri had recommended it. I didn't want to say her name directly, so I gave a vague answer.
“Is it good?”
“It’s a different kind of fun compared to movies or dramas.”
Especially works with heavy fantasy elements. If they were live-action, the CG would cost a fortune, but there’s a certain joy in seeing the kind of direction only animation can pull off.
“Mmm—”
Shin A-young let out a soft hum. As she tilted her head slightly, her black hair tickled the back of my hand. She must have put on perfume; a faint, floral scent wafted over.
“...”
It was distracting enough that I couldn't focus on the screen. She was strangely close. She didn't act like this when others were around, but whenever we were alone like this, Shin A-young had started closing the physical distance between us quite overtly.
“...”
“...”
Our eyes met for a brief moment. Shin A-young gave a bright smile.
“...”
I turned my gaze back to the screen. Following suit, Shin A-young also silently looked at the phone.
“Should I join the Counseling Club too?” she suddenly asked.
“...All of a sudden?” I naturally expressed my surprise.
I’d thought it might happen eventually. She’d been thinking about it for a while, so it wasn't entirely out of the blue. Still, it was the first time I’d heard her say it out loud.
“Then what about the Drama Club?”
“I’ll have to quit.”
“Is it okay to just quit like that?”
“...I was planning on quitting soon anyway. I’ve dropped a few hints already.”
“Really?”
If she’d already mentioned it, then I guess it was fine...
“Are you sure you’ll be okay? The Drama Club is the only one of its kind in the school.”
Once she quit, it would be hard to go back. Actually, since it was Shin A-young, she might be fine. But there would inevitably be some backlash. Furthermore, given her personality, I didn't think she’d want to go back after dealing with those kinds of looks.
“Mmm— it’s fine.” Shin A-young stretched her legs out as she continued. “Lately, they’ve been making me do nothing but act.”
— “...I joined to write scripts. Who said I only wanted to act...?”
Her Mini-Me glared as it recalled the situation. Her skills were too good to waste as just an actress, but that wasn't where her heart was.
“...”
Moreover, listening to the Mini-Me, that wasn't the only reason.
— “...And that senior keeps sticking to me. Ugh...”
She must really hate it. She even let slip a curse word I hadn't heard from her in a while. The Mini-Me grimaced and rubbed its arms, looking completely repulsed.
“Did you submit the withdrawal form?”
“Not yet. I’m planning to soon.”
I see. I nodded and turned my attention back to my phone.
— “Is she in here...?”
A faint voice drifted from beyond the Counseling Club door. It was a voice I remembered.
“...”
I looked toward the entrance and quietly stood up.
“What is it?”
Shh.
I raised my index finger to my lips, signaling Shin A-young to be quiet.
“...?”
I lightly led Shin A-young by the arm toward the desk at the back of the counseling room. Though she hesitated, she moved obediently. It was the office desk where the Club President or the teacher usually sat.
‘Hide in here for a second.’
I whispered softly, gesturing for Shin A-young to sit under the desk.
“...”
And then, I sat down in the chair to hide her.
— “W-W-What’s going on all of a sudden?!”
Her Mini-Me shouted, its face turning beet red.
“...?”
Wait, what?
Knock, knock—
At the sound of the soft knock, Shin A-young instinctively held her breath.
“Yes, come in.”
As I raised my voice, the door slid open, and the man I’d seen before walked in.
‘...What was his name again?’
I couldn't quite remember. Anyway, I only remembered that he was Shin A-young’s senior from the Drama Club.
“Hey there.”
He gave me a small wave. He had a gentle, good-natured smile.
“Hello.”
I nodded nonchalantly.
— “...Ah, damn it...”
Hearing Shin A-young’s sigh of realization as she recognized him, I felt glad I’d hidden her.
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(!Signpost!)
(Scroll down for AI illustration!)
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The setting is a summer uniform... but since the non-summer uniform version came out the prettiest, I'll post this one for now.