Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Middle School Graduation Ceremony
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After my birthday, time really flew by like an arrow.
The final exams as a middle schooler were over, and even Seol-i's birthday on Christmas Eve had passed.
And with the last day of the year gone, a new year had begun.
What marked the start of that new year was, of course, the middle school graduation ceremony for me and Seol-i.
The school, which had been a bit noisy, was now incredibly rowdy.
All the families of the graduating students had flooded in for the ceremony today.
"Seol-a, you have to keep in touch even after going to a different high school, got it?"
"Got it~"
Seol-i was heading to a different high school from the original story.
In the original, Seol-i had transferred to the school closest to home, where Kim Do-yoon was.
But now, she was going to the one between our house and hers.
The reason was obviously me.
Honestly, I was grateful. She was choosing to commute by bus for 20-30 minutes instead of the closer high school, all for me.
At the same time, that one choice confirmed it for me.
Seol-i had become a completely different person from the original Hyeon Seol.
Of course, I'd known that for a while.
She wasn't chasing after Kim Do-yoon, and she even got along well with Son Chae-eun, the original heroine. It was impossible not to notice the change.
"Do-yoon, take care~"
"Yeah, you too, Seol-i. Haneul, you too."
"I'll text you often."
"Sure."
I'd basically parted ways with Kim Do-yoon, the original protagonist.
Honestly... I wasn't that sad about it.
Kim Do-yoon was definitely an amazing friend.
As a friend, I'd give him at least 99 out of 100, no question.
But he wasn't that special to me.
Just a friend to reminisce about school days with—nothing more, nothing less.
So, no regrets.
After saying goodbye to my friends, I sat down with Seol-i to wait for the ceremony.
It started soon enough, with speeches from the vice principal and principal.
Surprisingly, most of us, including me, listened attentively. It was the last day, and we knew it wouldn't drag on, so we focused.
Before long, the principal's speech ended, and it was time for diplomas.
Class 1 went first, and I was the very first.
I was number 1 in Class 1.
"Name, Kang Haneul. The above student..."
The standard congratulations were read, and as soon as they finished, I took my diploma and bowed to the principal.
Heading down from the stage, I glanced at the family section.
There were Mom and Dad, of course, and Dasom. Seol-i's parents were right beside them.
I bowed to my family and Seol-i's parents in thanks, and Mom waved back with a smile.
Back at my seat, I welcomed Seol-i as she returned with her diploma.
"Seol-a, congrats on graduating."
"Yeah, congrats to you too, Haneul-i."
Seeing her beaming smile made me even more excited.
For high school life together with Seol-i.
The ceremony ended with the school song.
Seol-i and I went to join our families.
"Oppa!!!"
"Dasom's here too~?"
"Yeah! Congwats on gwaduating!"
Her rehearsed congratulations, straight out of Mom's crash course, cracked me up anyway.
How could you not laugh at your much younger sister's adorable attempt?
"Yeah, thanks, Dasom~"
"Hee hee hee hee!"
I hugged the giggling Dasom and absentmindedly glanced to the side.
There was Kim Do-yoon with his parents, and Son Chae-eun, the novel's heroine.
She was pretty, sure. Not as cute as my Seol-i, though.
Shaking off the thought, I hugged Dasom even tighter.
"Kyaaaa~"
Dasom squealed in delight, melting my heart further, while Mom and Dad watched us fondly.
And it wasn't just my parents. Seol-i's were smiling at me and Dasom too.
"Dasom really loves Haneul~"
"That's 'cause Haneul cherishes her so much~ Right, Haneul?"
"Of course."
How could I not? I'd practically raised half of her myself. She's family.
Dasom grinned in my arms, then suddenly turned to Seol-i.
"Unnie!! Congwats on gwaduating!!"
...Mom must've drilled it into her good. She even greeted Seol-i.
Seol-i's eyes widened in surprise, but quickly lit up with joy.
"Yeah, thanks, Dasom."
She handed her bouquet and diploma back to her parents for a moment and scooped up Dasom.
"Dasom~ Thank you so much~"
"Hee hee hee hee!!"
Dasom rubbed her cheek against Seol-i's in ultimate cuteness.
...She doesn't do that to me?
A weird jealousy bubbled up inside me—toward Seol-i, no less.
Feeling those soft Dasom cheeks on your own... and Seol-i getting it first.
Maybe I need to drill some "love your oppa" lessons into Dasom.
Start by buying her favorite character doll?
As I pondered nonsense, Dasom reached for me.
"Oppa! Oppa!"
The jealousy vanished instantly.
Replaced by endless affection for her.
"Yeah~ Oppa’s here~"
*Hug!*
*Rub rub*
Hugging her warm, soft little body healed me completely.
"So warm~ My Dasom~"
"Hee hee hee hee."
While I held her, Seol-i suddenly grabbed my hand tight.
Her hand was much smaller than mine but bigger than Dasom's. Warmer than Dasom's, with a fresh, tangy scent unlike Dasom's sweet one.
"...Seol-a?"
Her sudden move caught me off guard, but she just held on and spoke.
"...Haneul-i's hand is cold."
"Oh... yeah, it is a bit chilly."
"You should carry a hand warmer..."
"Nah, it's nothing..."
Without waiting, she pulled a hot pack from her pocket and gave it to me.
"Here, warm?"
"Ooh, yeah it is... but I'm fine. You use it."
"I have another one."
She shook her head calmly.
If she insists...
"Alright... thanks. I'll use it."
"Hehe..."
I thanked her beaming smile, and our two families headed to the planned restaurant.
A tonkatsu place about 30 minutes by car—famous enough that the parents had picked it for after the ceremony.
But...
"Seol-a, wanna ride with Haneul's family?"
"Huh...?"
Seol-i ended up in our car.
At her parents' suggestion, even.
So she got the back seat.
Specifically, Dasom's baby seat spot.
And where did Dasom sit?
On her human baby seat: my lap.
Baby seat went in the trunk.
"Seol-a, bear with it if it's cramped."
"No...! It's plenty spacious...!"
Seol-i shook her head, and the parents smiled fondly before driving off.
Seol-i and I watched the school fade away as we chatted.
"...Seol-a, how were the three years of middle school?"
"Great. Really. You, Haneul-i?"
"Mm... good for me too."
"Good."
She gave a serene little smile and squeezed my hand again.
Then grumbled a bit, dissatisfied.
"...Gave you the hot pack, but it's still cold."
"The left one's warm from holding it. Here."
I switched: freed my right hand from hers, steadied Dasom with it, and gave Seol-i my left.
Awkward position for me, but whatever. For Seol-i.
Meanwhile, she kneaded my left hand with both of hers.
Her tiny hands, two knuckles smaller than mine, soft as a baby's, tickled my heart as they played with it.
Even though she probably didn't mean it that way.
"...Warm now."
Her murmur got an awkward reply from me.
"...Yeah, obviously."
The mood was getting weird. Awkward, more like.
Her fiddling with my hand was just so... intimate.
Luckily, someone broke the tension.
*Wiggle wiggle*
Dasom squirming on my lap.
Maybe my awkward hold was bothering her. I called out worriedly.
"Dasom, what's up?"
"Me too! Me toooo!"
She reached for my left hand. Wanted to play like Seol-i, apparently.
Seol-i started to hand it over carefully.
I took a little advantage of her kindness.
Adjusted my hold, securing Dasom with my left, and said,
"Dasom, here's oppa's hand."
I wiggled the fingers under her belly, and she giggled, playing with them.
Just two fingers, but enough.
Then offered my right to Seol-i.
"Here."
"Oh... yeah..."
She hesitated, then grabbed it.
"Cold..."
"Duh, no hot pack."
"...I'll warm it up."
"Huh?"
She clasped it with both hands, sharing her warmth.
The soft, cozy feeling was bliss, my thoughts drifting—until I realized something.
...Why was I so casually giving her my hand?
Questioning my actions, but before I could think, Mom called out.
"Our future high schoolers~ We're here~"
We'd arrived at the tonkatsu place.