Festival Day and the Reluctant Bunny Mascot
The sports festival wrapped up without any major incidents, somehow pulling off a success. Our class actually put up a surprisingly strong showing. Individual events were a bit lackluster, but the team competitions were weirdly dominant. Especially tug-of-war—we made it all the way to the finals and snagged first place. The kids were all like it was thanks to me, but honestly, I couldn't wrap my head around it. I figured it was all Kang Mincheol pulling from the back. What help could I have been, the girl who bombed the 100-meter dash spectacularly?
Anyway, the sports festival turned out way more fun than I'd expected. The problem was the next day: festival day itself.
Most of the kids were whining about sore muscles everywhere from overdoing it the day before. I was one of them, but I gritted my teeth through it—I wanted to enjoy the festival properly, no matter what. I got to school early in the morning, and the moment I passed through the gates, it was already buzzing. Everyone had shown up way earlier than usual, deep in preparations. Our class was nearly done too, just needing to open up shop.
It wasn't anything fancy, calling it a cafe. We'd spruced up the interior a bit, but it was still basically a classroom at heart, and our "uniforms" were just aprons over school clothes. Plus, quite a few other classes were doing cafes too. Honestly, I had no idea if we'd get any customers.
Before long, the hallways filled with laughter and the patter of busy footsteps nonstop. Our class finally threw open the doors and started welcoming guests. The issue was how the class kids fumbled right from the start. It was just first-year high schoolers running a cafe, after all—taking orders was clumsy as hell. They'd stand there fumbling with the menu in front of customers, mix up orders and send out the wrong stuff, or screw up change and have to call back a customer who'd already left. So a few of us, me included, had to jump in and cover left and right.
Then, surprisingly—or maybe not—Hyeji stepped up, reorganizing everyone's roles. Thanks to her, the fumbling dropped off fast. She's got more leadership in situations like this than you'd think. Things stabilized after that, and the cafe started running smoothly.
Especially Kang Mincheol's latte art—it unexpectedly blew up in popularity, drawing crowds just to see it. It started when he made one for Hyeji, and we just slapped it on the menu. Felt kinda bad for him, but watching him stare intently into the cup every time an order came in, he seemed to be enjoying it in his own way.
I was wiping down a table and turning around when Hyeji called me from the counter, where she'd been overseeing things.
"Seojin, wanna take a break? Things are looking good now."
"Me? You sure? Lunch rush is coming up soon..."
It felt too risky to just bail.
Hyeji shrugged with a grin. "That's why I'm telling you to go now. It'll be fine by 1, so catch your breath. We've got prep to do while you're gone anyway."
Before I could even reply, she gave my back a gentle shove, kicking me out of the classroom. I reluctantly untied my apron, but the thrill of finally getting to enjoy the festival for real had my heart racing.
"Then going alone would be boring, so Kim Yuha too—"
"I'll be back! See ya later!"
Hyeji tried to say something more from behind, but I bolted out. Sounded like someone whining, but I must've misheard. With so much to see, I couldn't waste time—the school was huge, and even starting now, I wouldn't finish touring it all.
Stepping into the hallway, the whole school was electric with festival vibes. Classrooms had colorful paper decorations on every door, some with big banners like signs. Soft music drifted from the end of the hall, and kids wandered with balloons, snapping photos.
Heading down to the sports field, it was a whole different scene from sports day. Tents lined the track, street food stalls in a row: tteokbokki, waffles, takoyaki. A massive cotton candy machine spun away, and kids clutched slushies in paper cups.
Whoa, slushies... Nostalgic. Used to devour them back in the day.
My muscles still ached all over, but scoping out the stalls made me forget it for a bit. I hesitated on where to start, then made a beeline for the takoyaki stand.
Scanning the menu, I pointed to the top one. "One original, please."
Original's always the safe bet. Moments later, a paper box of takoyaki landed in my hands—eight golf-ball-sized rounds packed in a row. Drowned in sauce and mayo, bonito flakes dancing in the steam. Just looking made my mouth water.
I plopped on a bench at the edge of the field and grabbed a wooden skewer. Man, it's been forever since I had this... I don't go out much, so street food felt like a rare treat.
"Hot hot hothothot!"
The second I speared one and popped it in, it scorched me—I yanked it out, flailing. "Ah, damn, almost burned my tongue!"
I stuck out my tongue, fanning my mouth, grumbling up a storm. I love hot food, but this was ridiculous. This time, I blew on it carefully before biting. Crispy-golden outside, soft and melty inside, sauce bursting everywhere.
Mmm... Delicious.
Savoring each one, ajusshi's face popped into my head unbidden. That jerk who's been slow on replies lately, dodging me on the sly. Way too much ignoring your friend, huh? Already pissed from nearly burning my tongue, my mood soured more.
Gotta snap a pic of this and rub it in ajusshi's face.
The thought made my lips curl up. I skewered a takoyaki, propped the box on my knee so the rest showed, pulled out my phone, and opened the camera.
Heh heh... Bet you're hungry now~ Something like that.
Muttering to myself while framing the shot, my grinning face snuck into frame. Checking the pic, my expression was perfectly punchable—ideal for teasing.
From there, I roamed the festival for real, snapping pics everywhere fun. Full loop of field stalls: cotton candy machine, slushie booth. Back upstairs for other class cafe signs, the dark "haunted house" classroom entrance. Tried anything cool, snapped a shot on the way out.
Wanted to send to ajusshi right away, but not during work hours. Better to bundle 'em and hit him at quitting time.
Lost in solo festival bliss, it was nearly 1 before I knew it. Regretted not seeing everything, but pretty satisfied overall. Hurrying back to class, thankfully it was chill inside—not peak rush yet.
The second I walked in, a few kids waved happily.
"Lemme just grab my apron and jump back in."
Heading that way, Hyeji's voice rang out behind me. "Eunju, help Seojin out!"
"Okay!"
Eunju nodded at Hyeji, then shot me a suspiciously meaningful smile and sidled up, matching my pace.
It's just tying an apron—what's there to help with?
We headed to the corner being used as a changing area. A few girls clustered by the curtain. As I approached, their faces lit up in unison.
"""She's here!"""
They shouted together—no one leading—and it felt ominous. Like they'd been waiting for me.
"Seojin, go on in."
Eunju casually pulled back the curtain. "Hang on, why? I just need the apron—"
Before I finished, two girls hooked my arms and shoved me inside. There, smack in the middle: a massive something. White fur... mascot costume?
"Ta-da, our class mascot for today."
Eunju grinned. "Wait, you're not saying I have to wear this...?"
I backed away, but the girls swarmed. One grabbed me from behind, another unzipped the body.
"Arms in quick! Gotta test before lunch peak!"
"I really can't—gyaaah!"
No time for a proper scream. My arms were stuffed into furry sleeves, legs into plush pants. Finally, the giant head plopped on—but luckily, unlike most mascots, there was an opening to stick my face out fully. No vision block.
"Fits you perfectly."
"Shame about the eye color mismatch."
Someone admired aloud as Eunju dragged me to the full-length mirror nearby.
"See for yourself!"
Reluctantly peering in, a stranger bunny stared back. Head way bigger than a person's, two floppy ears dangling. All-white fur suit swallowing my body, puffy cotton hands. And atop it all... my bare face sticking out awkwardly.
"Wh-wh-wh-what the hell is this...!!"
The mirror bunny scowled, and my forehead furrowed for real. Clenching my fists and raising them made it even more ridiculous.
"Why a bunny of all things!"
I finally yelled, unable to hold back. As I fumed, the girls burst out giggling. Eunju covered her mouth, laughing, but coolly said:
"Whole class chipped in to get it. Oh, and homeroom teacher plus math teacher pitched in too."
"Why keep it secret from me?!"
I wanted to rip it off then and there, but hearing the whole class was involved softened me up. Homeroom teacher, fine—but math teacher? Why?
I flailed and thrashed forever, but in the suit, it was hopeless. Exhausted, I finally nodded in forced surrender.
"Haa... Just this once."
Eunju and the girls erupted in cheers the instant I said it. Dragged along by them, bunny head and all, I shuffled outside.
...The super fluffy feel's pretty nice, though.