Seventeen, and Accomplices (4)
The final exams went smoother than expected. The stress unique to exam period was as tough as ever, but since I hadn't been doing late-night cram sessions this life, I felt oddly anxious. That said, it doesn't seem like self-study sessions themselves are all that crucial. In my previous life, I spent the entire self-study time goofing off with the kids instead of studying anyway. In the end, it all comes down to how you use the time, right?
"You don't have to push yourself so hard."
Mom said it a few times, like she was trying to stop me, as I hunched over my books late into the night. Honestly, I do want to slack off sometimes. There've been more than a couple nights where I just wanted to flop into bed, scroll on my phone, and pass out. But if I let my studies slide, I can already picture my grades tanking, and that scares me. It wouldn't matter if it only hurt me, but if it affects Seojin too, that'd be a real problem.
Still, thanks to blowing off steam every Saturday, things are definitely different from last year. With the stress under control, I've been sleeping better than before lately, and waking up in the morning feels refreshingly clear-headed. For the record, I stick to about 6-7 hours of sleep a day. It's become my ingrained routine, so forcing myself to stay up longer just makes the next day even worse.
I learned that the hard way during these finals. Math, which always gives me headaches, made me push too far just once—I chugged an energy drink and ended up with the total opposite effect. My condition got wrecked after that. But in front of the exam paper, I somehow held it together and finished without major issues. Then I crashed into bed the second I got home and slept like the dead. Guess you could call that a blessing.
Best to build good habits from the start, after all.
On the morning of the last exam day, uncharacteristically, my sister woke up early to call me. Early for her, anyway—Mom and Dad had already left for work, and I was rushing to school too. But for a college student with no morning classes to be up at this hour? Pretty rare, I'd say.
"What's up?"
I set my bag down for a sec and asked. Instead of answering, she pulled out her wallet and rummaged through it, then thrust some bills at me.
"Here, take this. Pocket money from your big sis."
"Pocket money? Ugh, 50,000 won!?"
At first glance, I thought it was 5,000 from the color, but it was more goldish, and there was an extra zero after the number. And not just one bill—two of them. I blanked out for a second at my sister doing something so out of character, then bowed my head deeply in thanks.
"Thank you, sis... I'll never forget this kindness. But why the sudden pocket money?"
"Don't overdo it... It's no big deal. Dad's been giving me extra lately for meeting up with that guy. But taking it and spending it feels kinda iffy... So I figured I'd ease the burden a bit."
She tried to play it casual, but her face looked kinda dark somehow. Like guilt was written all over it. Still, it was nice to see she was thinking about it. Come to think of it, that explains why she never once complained about being broke despite going out every Saturday. With Dad's personality, he must've given her a hefty allowance, and about 20% of it leaked my way, huh? Well, whatever falls to me is a win.
"Today's your last exam, right? How about hitting up somewhere with your friends after? Like an amusement park."
Amusement park... Not super hyped about going with the kids, but it'd probably be fun anyway. Perfect timing too, since the exam ends in the morning—we could hang out plenty. I love rides, after all. Anyway, I was so pumped I bounced around, gave her a big hug, and headed straight to school.
I almost messed up a few times on the test from being so excited, but luckily caught them all during review. Thanks to that, I wrapped up without any big problems. Math was still a tough nut as always, but overall, the exam went smoothly again. I'll worry about shoring up weak subjects later—this week, I'm just gonna have fun.
"Exams are all done, so wanna hit the amusement park together if you're free?"
Strike while the iron's hot, as they say—I tossed out my sister's suggestion from that morning. The kids looked a bit surprised. Makes sense; it's the first time I've ever proposed something first, when I'm usually the one getting dragged along. I know I come off super unmotivated around them. But why would I be motivated if it's no fun? An amusement park, though—that's worth suggesting.
Not going all-out or anything, so we headed to a decent-sized indoor amusement park. Factoring in travel time, it was the most efficient choice. Less transit hassle, and it had all the rides you could want, so plenty to enjoy. That said, since we hadn't planned ahead, only a few showed up. Me included, exactly four: Hyeji, Kang Mincheol, and Kim Yuha, who barged in at the last second while packing up to leave.
Sneakily pairing Hyeji and Mincheol this time around could be fun. Problem is, that means I'd have to pair with Kim Yuha...
...Shudder.
"Want me to hold your hand? Don't wanna lose ya."
Here we go again. His annoying teasing voice soured my mood instantly, but I decided to put up with it today. Would've loved to stick with Hyeji and Mincheol, but I had no choice but to yield this time. So there I was, trailing behind Kim Yuha like a lost duckling.
We dumped all our bags in the storage lockers, so no worries there. Being Thursday, the crowds weren't too bad. Plenty of students in uniforms milling about like us, with a few adults mixed in. If things go well with sis and ajusshi next time, I should recommend a uniform date like that. Ajusshi would rock a uniform if it fit—picturing it actually looks pretty good. He's handsome enough that passersby might do double-takes if he dressed up a bit. Heh heh heh. Oh, and while ajusshi kinda overshadows it, our sis is tall and stacked, so she'd pull off a uniform too. Sounds braggy, but she gets "model" compliments sometimes when we're out. Being sisters, if not for the accident, Seojin might've grown up similar...
...Yeah, taller is great, but lugging around all that jiggle up top and down below? Kinda meh. If that'd been the case, I'd have to deal with it. Eek, goosebumps...
"Gotta start with the roller coaster, right!"
Kinda horrified by that mental image, when Kim Yuha suddenly piped up from beside me. Hate to admit it, but the guy's the best at having fun. I got swept up in the excitement and grabbed his bag strap, following along. Behind us, Kang Mincheol had a face like stone as Hyeji dragged him by the hand. Look at those red cheeks. Cute couple, though?
"Can't remember the last time I rode a roller coaster! Whoa, just looking makes me dizzy!"
Hyeji's eyes sparkled with anticipation. Mincheol, on the other hand, looked downright grim. Guess he's not great with thrill rides. But this is an indoor park—slopes aren't steep, track's pretty standard... That scary?
"By the way, will our little bunny be okay?"
"What're you on about now?"
I'd been bouncing on my toes like Hyeji, all pumped, when he started revving up for more annoying crap. Fine, let's hear what he has to say first. Payback comes after.
"Roller coasters usually have height limits, right? Think bunny can even ride? Ow!"
"Ugh, take that!"
The second he finished, I stomped his foot hard. Sure, I'm on the very very very short side, but I clear the minimum. By a decent margin, even.
"Now that you mention it, I am a little worried... How tall is Seojin again?"
I side-eyed Hyeji, thinking she was joining in the tease, but her face said she was genuinely curious. That somehow felt worse.
"Hey, come on, it's not that bad. Look—says anyone over 120cm can ride."
Thanks to his height, he could read the sign from way over there. Thanks, Mincheol. You're my only ally.
"Phew, good then~ But seriously, how tall is Seojin?"
Now she was curious for real. The actual shorty here wants to hang her head in shame, but I couldn't snap since there was no malice.
"141... Ow!"
I stomped oblivious Kim Yuha's foot again for blurting it out. Bringing up my sore spot so casually!? Should I just kill him!?
"Ow, again!?"
"You fishbrain! Don't spout off if you can't even remember right!!"
"You are 141! You were 141 all through third year of middle school—I remember clear as day?"
Sighing at his clueless mug that owned zero fault, I clenched my teeth and set the record straight.
"It's not 141!! It's 141.5! Add the decimal, the decimal!"
The second I yelled that out in a huff, the air went dead quiet.
Then—
"Pfft!!!"
Laughter exploded from all three mouths at once. My boiling head cooled instantly. Glancing sideways, Kim Yuha, Hyeji, even Mincheol—all avoiding my eyes, heads turned away. And not just that—they were covering their mouths with one hand, shoulders shaking.
...What? Why? Are you guys laughing right now?
I was dead serious! What's so funny!? This is why I hate peers. Ajusshi wouldn't tease...
...Yeah, I believe ajusshi wouldn't tease. For real.