Chapter 94: Duality (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 94: Duality (1)
‘…Ah, right. That was it.’
The moment I saw his name tag, the name clicked.
Jung Jae-hoon.
Yes, that was definitely it.
— “...Is she alone?”
Jung Jae-hoon’s Mini-Me scanned the counseling office. He seemed puzzled to find me by myself in the club room.
He glanced around the room.
— “I guess A-young didn’t come here.”
I heard that stray thought drift toward me.
Just as I suspected.
His goal was Shin A-young. At this point, it wasn't even surprising.
“Can I help you with something?” I asked in a calm, professional voice.
“Did A-young happen to come by here?”
I didn't expect him to be quite so blunt, though.
I tilted my head to the side. “Shin A-young?”
“Yeah, I have something to say to her.”
“Hmm… I’m not sure.” I shook my head with a nonchalant expression.
— “Oh…”
Shin A-young’s Mini-Me let out a small exclamation of admiration.
— “…Not bad.”
The verdict was in: my acting was so natural it didn't even feel like a performance.
It made sense. Even though I could hear people’s thoughts, there were times every single day when I had to pretend I couldn't. Practice makes perfect, and I’d long since mastered the art of playing dumb.
— “Mmm—”
Shin A-young’s Mini-Me let out a soft hum.
— “…This is actually kind of fun.”
Perhaps the tension had dissipated, because a playful rhythm had entered the Mini-Me’s tone. Was she enjoying this like it was a game of hide-and-seek?
“If it’s urgent, couldn't you just send her a text?” I casually brushed off the thought I’d heard and continued speaking. “It’s faster to just find her in person if she’s at school. Since she’s not here, she probably went home.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, A-young isn't the type to check her texts quickly.”
“…”
Is that so? Doesn't she usually reply within three minutes?
“Hmm…” I gave a vague nod.
I had a feeling I knew why she was like that, but I kept my mouth shut.
“So, was that all you needed?”
“There’s that, and…”
Jung Jae-hoon walked toward the wall of the counseling office where the request forms were kept. He pulled out a sheet of paper.
…What? Is he actually planning to apply for counseling?
Well, he did come to the Counseling Club, so it was a valid reason to be here. But hearing that someone like him was actually doing it caught me off guard.
“This is the application, right?”
“Yeeess—.”
I tried to answer, but my voice trailed off unintentionally.
“...?”
Jung Jae-hoon shot me a suspicious look.
I quickly pivoted. “You can just fill it out over there.”
“Okay.”
He soon lost interest, dismissing my awkwardness as nothing significant. It was a relief.
“…”
The area under my eyes twitched slightly. Once I saw Jung Jae-hoon’s gaze drop toward the paper, I lowered my head.
— “…This reaction is fun.”
Shin A-young was hiding behind a stack of boxes under the desk. From her vantage point, she was poking my leg with her index finger. Every time she did, a ticklish sensation shot up my spine.
That must have been what caused my voice to crack just now.
— “Hehe.”
Whether her nerves had completely vanished or she was just certain she wouldn't get caught, her face was full of mischief.
‘Seriously, you…!’
I signaled her with my eyes to cut it out.
‘Whaaat?’
— “Whaaat?”
Shin A-young mouthed the words at the exact same time as her Mini-Me. The Mini-Me’s eyes narrowed into a sly, fox-like smile.
‘What do you mean, "what"?’
I was worried we’d get caught. How could she want to play around in a situation like this? What if he actually saw her?
…Or did she want to get caught?
“...Hmm. This is pretty detailed.”
Jung Jae-hoon let out a short grunt as he looked down at the application. At the sound, I straightened my back.
“But…” Jung Jae-hoon held the paper up to me, as if there was a section he didn't understand. “What’s this part for?”
“Ah, that’s…”
Slide—
There it was again—that ticklish sensation.
“...One moment, please.”
I looked down, pretending to check my phone.
Shin A-young was visibly holding back laughter. She had her index and middle fingers standing up like little legs. Starting from my shin, she was slowly "walking" them up my leg.
Goosebumps broke out across my skin.
“…”
I reached down with my left hand and snatched her wrist.
— “…!”
The Mini-Me jumped in surprise, letting out a tiny shriek.
I looked back up at Jung Jae-hoon. “...That’s for choosing your preferred counselor.”
“Hmm.” Jung Jae-hoon nodded.
— “…What kind of club member doesn't know the procedure?”
Perhaps because I’d taken a moment to respond, I heard that bit of mental criticism. That’s a bit unfair.
I continued my explanation. “If you want more serious or professional counseling, you can check the items below that.”
“The items below? Where?”
He walked right up to the desk.
“...This question here.”
I fought to keep my expression neutral. I pointed to the paper he held out. Physically, he was now much closer to Shin A-young’s hiding spot.
Perhaps because of the proximity, or perhaps because I was still holding her hand, Shin A-young finally went quiet.
“If there’s someone specific you want, write it here.”
“I see.”
Jung Jae-hoon nodded and quietly examined the sentence. Of course, requesting a specific person didn't guarantee they’d be assigned, but we tried our best to accommodate.
“...But does the Counseling Club even have professional counselors?”
“The counseling teacher.”
“Ah…”
Since I’d said "professional," he must have thought we had a psychiatrist on standby or something.
“Not to that extent.”
Jung Jae-hoon shook his head lightly, as if realizing it wasn't that heavy of a consultation. After that, he quietly filled out the survey to the sound of a scratching pen.
He pushed the completed application across the desk. “Here.”
“...I’ll text you later with the counseling schedule.”
“Right. Good work.”
Jung Jae-hoon turned around immediately. He vanished quite coolly, as if he had no further business with me.
Rattle—
The door closed completely.
One second… two seconds… three seconds…
I couldn't hear the Mini-Me’s voice from the hallway. He was definitely gone.
“Phew…”
Once I was sure it was safe, a sigh escaped me. The tension left my body, and my shoulders slumped.
‘I really thought we were going to get caught.’
…Wait. Shin A-young was the one hiding. Why was I the one who had to be nervous?
“Hey.” I glared under the desk.
Shin A-young was still crouching there, staring blankly up at me. Her fingers were still resting on my shin.
“What if we actually got caught? Huh?” I pulled her hand away from my leg.
“But we didn't, did we?” Shin A-young answered boldly, blinking her large eyes. She had an expression that asked what the big deal was.
“No, I mean…”
Since she was so confident, I found myself at a loss for words.
“Hehe.” She let out a light giggle.
— “I was hidden perfectly behind the boxes… who would suspect anything and check under the desk?”
The Mini-Me tilted its chin.
The moment she was certain she wouldn't be caught, did her mischievous side—the one that only came out when we were alone—take over? I’d told her to be comfortable when it was just the two of us, but I felt like she’d become a bit too comfortable lately.
— “Even if we did get caught… I could have used that to my advantage in its own way…”
The tips of her ears turned slightly red.
“Ahem.”
— “Anyway, I would have handled it somehow.”
Shin A-young let out a small cough, scattering her thoughts. Because of that, I couldn't hear the rest, but it seemed she had some other plan in mind.
“No, I’m telling you, it’s definitely going to be delicious!”
Just then, I heard voices from outside the office. A cheerful tone—even without looking, I knew it was Ji Nuri.
“…”
At that sound, Shin A-young’s expression changed instantly. Her mischievous eyes softened, returning to her usual delicate, innocent impression. She wore a fresh smile that seemed kind to everyone.
It was a transformation closer to instinct than conscious effort.
“…”
I was dumbfounded by the rapid shift, as if the previous moment had never happened.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Nothing.” I shook my head.
If that was a talent, it was certainly a formidable one. It was a bit of a waste that a girl like her wasn't pursuing acting.
“We’re back!”
The group that had gone to the snack shop returned to the club room. All three of them were carrying bags in both hands.
“...Hmm?”
Lee Sol looked at Shin A-young with her characteristic languid gaze. “...When did you get here?”
“I just got here.”
“Really?”
Lee Sol gave a small nod. She passed right by her and took her usual spot on the corner of the sofa, taking a large bite of her ice cream.
— “…What is it?”
Lee Sol’s Mini-Me tilted its head.
— “Something’s… a bit strange.”
Whether it was a woman’s intuition or something else, even if she wasn't certain, she was picking up on a strange vibe.
“Is there an ice cream for me too?” Shin A-young asked, looking through the bags.
Senior Min-ji pulled one out. “A-young, here.”
“Ah, thank you…!”
Accepting the ice cream with a bright smile, she moved with light steps to find a place to eat.
Shin A-young passed right by me.
Poke—
In that moment, I felt a light poke on my back. When I quietly turned my eyes toward her, I saw an index finger briefly extended behind her back.
Shin A-young hid her movements from the others and gave me a subtle, knowing smile.
It was that same mischievous expression I’d seen under the desk.
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