Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Night Study Together (1)
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A week had passed, and Seol and I had fully adapted to high school life.
We'd gotten used to the 50-minute classes and had nearly perfected our adjustment to the curriculum that stretched all the way to seventh period.
But now, Seol and I had to adapt to a new schedule.
Night study.
"Night study…."
Seol stared at the word, lost in thought.
I leaned over to look at the paper she was holding.
It was titled 'Night Self-Study Rules.' According to it, all first- and second-year students who signed up for night study would be doing it in the library.
Normally, everyone from first to third years would study together in the reading room on the top floor, but this year, so many third-years had signed up that first- and second-years were being sent to the library instead.
The detailed rules weren't anything special.
Stay quiet during study time. No food or drinks allowed except water. That was about it.
One thing I realized there.
"…Why aren't they confiscating phones?"
No phone confiscation.
They weren't assigning seats either. That meant friends could huddle together and whisper, pass notes, or even play games on their phones.
They were just going to let it all slide—it really emphasized the 'self-study' part.
"Hmm… Maybe they're leaving it up to the students' discretion?"
Seol seemed to share my thoughts.
Honestly, I didn't care much about phone confiscation or assigned seats. Who doesn't check their phone or chat with the person next to them during study time?
I nodded and headed back to my seat.
I pulled out my textbooks to prep for the next class, but…
"Hey, Haneul."
Seol called out to me.
"Yeah, Seol?"
"What are you doing for dinner tonight?"
Her question was a big one.
Dinner—what to do about it?
I pondered it for a moment.
Then decided.
"Thinking of just going out and grabbing something."
Buy food outside.
No other options for me. I hadn't packed anything, and the school didn't provide dinner.
So, out and buy it was.
Seol's eyes lit up at my words, her voice urgent.
"Th-then, I'll come too!"
"You too, Seol?"
-Nod nod-
Seol nodded vigorously.
Come to think of it, her situation was probably the same as mine.
No packed lunch, no school dinner.
So, out we go.
I nodded back at her enthusiastic bobbing.
"Alright, let's go grab food together."
I preferred eating with someone anyway. I'd learned that sharing a meal beat eating alone.
Seol beamed, her voice bubbly as she launched in.
"What should we get for dinner?"
"How about that tteokbokki from last time?"
"Sounds good! But it's kinda far, right?"
"It's not too far, and we've got plenty of time anyway?"
We had tons of time.
Classes ended, cleaning done—around 5 p.m.
Night study started at 7.
Two hours to spare. Plenty for a quick trip to the department store basement for tteokbokki.
Seol nodded wildly at that.
"You're right…!"
"Told ya."
I nodded along with her.
Man, nodding so much was starting to make my head ache a bit.
How did Seol shake her head like that nonstop? Was she that excited?
Who knows with our Seol.
*
Classes over, cleaning done. Seol called out to me.
"Haneul~ Time to eat~!"
I replied while asking what had been bugging me.
"Yeah, but where's your bag?"
"My bag?"
"You took it when you left earlier."
I'd been on cleaning duty, but Seol wasn't. She'd bolted right after homeroom, bag in hand—I'd seen it.
She said it like it was obvious.
"Left it at the library!"
"Ah, gotcha."
Made sense. Better than lugging it around all day.
"But Haneul, aren't you changing clothes?"
I was in gym clothes, not uniform. Gym class earlier, too lazy to change back. Plus, they doubled as casual wear—no dress code issue.
"Nah, sticking with this."
I slung on my bag and asked her.
"Where'd you leave your bag?"
She grinned brightly.
"Follow me!"
She strode ahead confidently, and I followed.
Soon, at the library. I spotted it.
Her reserved seat.
Deep in the back, completely hidden from view.
Her bag was there.
Unmistakable—the capybara keychain matching her hair pin's snowflake charm.
"Here?"
"Yep! Perfect spot, right?"
Was it?
I glanced up at the ceiling lights.
Bright enough, but…
"Isn't it kinda dark?"
"I-is it…?"
"And teachers might not see us back here."
"Oh… But they'll use the attendance sheet!"
"Attendance sheet?"
"Yeah! Over there…!"
She pointed to the desk by the entrance.
I recalled the 'Night Study Attendance' binder I'd seen coming in.
The supervising teacher checked participants there.
"…Still feels too dark."
"Uuu…"
Seol looked disappointed.
She really liked this spot.
Well… fine then.
I set my bag next to hers.
"Haneul?"
"Let's just sit here."
She beamed, thrilled with my choice.
Her smile was so cute, I decided not to overthink the spot.
If Seol liked it, that was enough. What mattered more?
Convincing myself, we headed out of the library together.
Time to eat.
*
On the way to the department store, Seol and I strolled, taking in the sights.
Sounds weird, but it was our first time here since the placement test.
So, naturally, we wanted to look around.
"Wowww…!"
Seol gazed around with childlike wonder, grinning ear to ear.
Even that was cuter than most kids her age.
"This place that exciting?"
"Yeah! Super exciting! New spots are always so cool, right?"
It hit me—our views of the world differed.
I saw nothing special; she found magic in everything.
Was I too bland, or was she pure sunshine? Probably both.
She looked so thrilled, like she'd forgotten our goal.
"Seol, we're heading to the department store for food, okay?"
"Yeah yeah! I know! But what if we pop into one of these other places on the way?"
Valid point.
Though options were slim.
We walked more, Seol scouting eateries, but most were pricey.
Pricier than the food court—definitely a bustling district.
"All so expensive…."
"Maybe the department store's the better deal."
As Seol nodded solemnly, I spotted a budget-friendly chain burger joint across the street.
Maybe she wanted something besides tteokbokki today. I suggested it.
"Seol, how about there instead?"
"There?"
"Yeah, the burger place."
"Hmm… Burgers sound good… Oh, I wanna go there!"
She pointed at the same building.
But her finger was aimed a bit higher.
I followed it.
Malatan place.
"Malatan?"
"C-can we…? Hehe…"
She secretly loved malatan. I'd seen it firsthand.
I thought it over, then nodded.
"Sure, let's do that today."
No reason not to. She liked it, prices were decent.
Nutrition might lack, but add veggies or wanja, and it's fine.
Solid choice overall.
Her face lit up at my answer.
Grinning, she stepped toward the overpass.
I stopped her.
"Seol, hold on."
"Yeah?"
She tilted her head. I shrugged off my gym jacket.
She slapped her hands over her eyes.
Weird reaction—I had a white short-sleeve underneath.
I wrapped the jacket around her waist and tied it loosely.
Only then did she uncover her eyes.
"Haneul…?"
"Gonna climb stairs."
School stairs were fine, but overpasses were tall.
Better safe than sorry.
She covered her face again upon realizing.
Her head really was small.
Those tiny hands covered it perfectly.
Confirming the jacket fully covered her skirt, I offered my hand.
"Seol, let's go up."
She hesitated, then took it.
I led her up the overpass.
Why'd I grab her hand?
Didn't have to.
…Dunno. Felt right.