Seventeen, and the Festival (5)
After my break, I was just about to get back to work, bunny head flipped back on, heading from the corner of the classroom toward the counter—
"Kyaaah!! Seojin, what is this?!"
An all-too-familiar scream-like shriek came from behind me. I nearly dropped my tray in shock. Before I could even turn around, my waist was yanked backward.
"Eek?!"
"My little sis~!"
It was my sister. She half-dragged me into a hug by the nape of my neck, making a huge fuss with a face like she was about to burst into tears.
"Oh my god, oh my god, what do I do? You're too cute~!"
Her arms squeezed tighter, cutting off my air.
"Guhh... Sis, can't... breathe... I'm working..."
I twisted my body and barely managed to squeak it out. Only then did she loosen her grip a bit—but she didn't let go. She grabbed both bunny arms with her hands, twisting me this way and that, grinning like a kid in a candy store. She really came to school like she promised. And she spotted me in this bunny getup somehow.
"Why didn't you tell me you were doing something like this? I'm hurt~?"
Her words said she was upset, but her voice was buzzing with excitement. No way that sounded convincing. Besides, if I'd told her ahead of time, I would've flat-out told her not to come.
"I didn't know it'd turn out like this either... The kids prepared it without saying a word..."
"Who came up with such a brilliant idea?!"
Sister looked genuinely impressed as she scanned the classroom, eyeing my classmates. From my perspective, they were the ones I wanted to smack—but to her, they looked like kids who deserved medals. If I left her like this, she'd cling to me all day.
"Sis, I have to work...!"
I slipped my bunny arms free, grabbed her hands, and dragged her to an empty seat by the window.
"Sit here. There's no room, so people can't even sit down."
Once I forced her into the chair, she finally nodded with a slightly more subdued expression.
"Okay then, I'll cheer you on from here while I watch my Seojin."
"Skip the cheering. Pick something to drink. It's free."
"Oh, service? I'm touched~?"
As she giggled excitedly, I slid the menu in front of her. She pored over it for a while before picking a fairly safe latte. Some people pick the most expensive thing just because it's free, but not her. Price doesn't matter to her—she sticks to what she knows unless it's her usual. Ordering something pricey that doesn't suit her taste would just be a hassle. Smart choice, really.
I passed the order to the counter, and soon a white mug of latte came out. I carefully placed it on a tray and brought it to her.
"Here's your latte, ma'am."
I said it half-jokingly as I set it down. She chuckled and wrapped both hands around the mug.
"Whoa, a latte brought by my Seojin—it's gonna taste even better."
"Just drink it, ma'am."
I left her to her fussing and got back to work. No slacking just because my sister showed up. Calls of "Bunny!" still echoed from all over. I glanced back at the window seat—Sister was sipping her latte, watching me in my bunny costume with a pleased smile.
...Lucky her. I wanna be the customer too.
Conveniently, it was almost wrapping up when she arrived, so I didn't have much work time left. That made me hustle even harder for some reason. Sure, there was serving, but most of it was standing next to customers begging for photos or waving from afar. Forced smiles, posing on demand, standing endlessly... Even after a good break, I was beat.
Still, the kids slipped me leftover snacks and juice now and then, so I managed to keep my energy up.
Before I knew it, closing time was right around the corner.
As closing approached, the classroom had quieted down a lot. As people started trickling out, Sister called me over.
"Almost done, right?"
She'd been sitting quietly for once—what a surprise.
"Yeah, time to start closing prep."
I answered, and she jumped up from her seat.
"Then how about a pic with your sis before that?"
No sooner had she said it than she scanned the room and grabbed Kang Mincheol passing by.
"Excuse me, mind taking a photo of me and my sister? Pretty please?"
She handed over her phone politely. That's my sister for you—never jumps straight to casual speech with someone younger.
"Uh... sure..."
Kang Mincheol looked flustered by the sudden request. As their hands brushed when he took the phone, he flinched a little. His voice trembled subtly—anyone could see he was nervous. He's always been the quiet type anyway, doesn't talk much unless it's friends. And with a beauty like my sister? Totally understandable.
"Okay, Seojin, hold still~"
Sister hugged me from behind, lifted my bunny ears, forced my arm up for poses—every position imaginable. The shots Mincheol took turned out way better than I'd expected. Better than anything I'd snapped, even.
While we posed, the others started announcing closing time to the remaining customers and tidying up.
"I'll go check out other spots. Call when you're done, got it? Oh, and thanks for the photos!"
Sister waved brightly at me one last time, then bowed her head to Mincheol in thanks. His cheeks flushed the faintest pink as he accepted it. Subtle, but I was right there—I noticed.
This guy... not a quick-heartbreaker, is he?
As I thought that, Hyeji's voice came from behind.
"Mincheol."
I turned—Hyeji was glaring at him with a pretty annoyed look. Her cheeks were puffed out suspiciously.
"You, come help me a sec."
She grabbed his arm the second she finished speaking and yanked him toward the back of the room. A lightbulb went off in my head.
Wait a minute...?
I didn't say it out loud, but my lips curled into a smirk on their own. Good for you, Mincheol.
Right then, someone yelled from the middle of the room.
"Hey, before we wrap up, toast with the leftover drinks!"
The kids gathered one by one. I sidled over and got handed a paper cup. Grape soda—perfect, I'd had enough juice.
We formed a circle and clinked cups. That's when I spotted Kim Yuha off to the side a bit. Our eyes met; he stared blankly for a second, then looked away. I'd expected his usual smirk and teasing, but no playfulness—just a stiff face?
Maybe he overheard something from Mincheol earlier. It felt off, but my head was getting too cluttered, so I decided not to dwell.
We clinked one more time and closed out the festival.
Finally taking off this costume...?
Before cleanup, I raised both hands to remove the bunny head.
"...Seojin."
A hesitant voice came from behind me.
"Yeah?"
I'd half-pulled off the bunny head and turned—Kim Yuha was standing there. Calling me by name instead of "Bunny" for once?
"Um..."
He opened his mouth, then hesitated forever. What the heck did Mincheol say to make him this cowed?
You're killing me here...
After an eternity, he pulled out his phone from his pocket. Why was he shaking so much?
"Can we... take a photo? Together?"
His voice was so tentative, it threw me for a loop. It's just a photo—why'd that make me tense up?
"Sure. No biggie."
I set the bunny head aside and stepped over to him.
"Go ahead, snap it."
He carefully switched to selfie mode. I just stood there with a casual smile.
"Um... one of you solo this time."
He even asked for a solo shot? I frowned for a second.
But I smoothed it out quick and struck the best pose I could. It was a special day—happy to oblige.
After that final pic, the festival wrapped up soon enough. Once all the customers left, we clumsily reverted the cafe back to classroom mode. Tables in rows, decorations peeled off the walls—the cafe vibe vanished completely.
The festival was a blast. Tiring in the bunny suit, sure, but looking back, a pretty unique experience. Awkward as it was, I'd never had this much attention. No clue how many photos got taken—uncountable now.
"Gotta post my pics with Seojin on my story~"
On the way home, Sister fiddled with her phone, grinning ear to ear. Her face was brighter than when she'd been at our class table. She enjoyed it that much—no need to ask.
Should've waited for her to show up, taken my break then, and hung out together...
I had fun on my own, but it felt like 2% short somehow. Still, today's festival is one I'll remember forever.
They even gave me the bunny costume as a souvenir. Seeing it will bring back memories.
But where am I supposed to store this thing?