When the Crickets Chirp (2): "Why Did I Come Here?"
As she crawled across the floor after the escaping cricket, Sera suddenly found herself lost in self-reflection.
She'd come to the Animal Husbandry Club room buzzing with excitement at the thought of seeing Yuuya, only to be greeted not by her cousin's cheerful welcome, but by a chaotic frenzy of unfamiliar students and an impromptu cricket-catching contest.
She loved animals, sure, but insects? Not so much. The lizards she raised at home were fed as feeders—no breeding or mating on her watch. When the time came, she might bring them here or team up with another breeder, but she had no intention of claiming ownership of any eggs.
And why would she? Sure, her cousin Fuyuko had sparked her interest in breeding and reptiles, but Sera had zero plans to devote her entire life to pets like Fuyuko did.
Honestly, what amazed Sera more was how Fuyuko juggled teaching and breeding. Other breeders at least made money selling offspring, but Fuyuko, as a teacher, just gave them away for free. To put it bluntly, her cousin was nuts.
And the one who'd completely enchanted that nutty cousin into a devoted servant, Yuuya, was no slouch either.
In fact, the real reason Sera hadn't quit the surprisingly tedious breeding hobby was the sheer happiness radiating from Yuuya.
I want to connect with my pets like that.
I want to smile that blissfully too.
The photos Fuyuko had snapped and sent—unintentionally—had planted a seed of admiration in Sera's heart.
That was why she liked her. Yuuya was the sole reason Sera was even considering student teaching at Yuuma High, where her peers mocked it as a "demon realm."
That thought faded a bit.
"Ughhh…."
Good thing she'd dressed comfortably, just in case. If she'd dolled up to make a good impression, her pricey outfit would've ended up soaked in sweat and animal stench—a total disaster.
"Done…?"
Sera wiped the beads of sweat from her forehead. A glance at her watch showed it'd been over an hour since she arrived.
She looked at the boy who'd plopped down beside her.
"Haaah."
He grinned through rivers of sweat, his expression more tragic than joyful—almost comical.
His name was Shin Tae-something, right…?
Come to think of it, this must be the new club member Fuyuko and Yuuya kept mentioning.
In a club full of gorgeous girls, he was the lone guy—and he'd thrown himself into cricket-catching and cleaning with unusual zeal. No wonder sweat beaded on his forehead just like hers.
Sera found herself staring at his upper body, where his sweat-soaked shirt clung to his back like a second skin.
He wasn't some jacked athlete, but his arms had a subtle thickness that drew the eye.
He's Korean, right…?
Her university had plenty of foreign students, including Koreans. They mostly chased diplomas, so she rarely crossed paths with them in her teacher-training program.
Foreigners weren't anything new to her. But it was intriguing. Out of all the clubs, why had this Korean guy ended up in the Animal Husbandry Club? It didn't feel like pure coincidence.
Feeling her gaze, Tae-il looked up. Their eyes met, and he gave a wry smile before bowing his head.
"You worked hard."
"Heh heh. You too. You were the most enthusiastic out there."
"I'm a sinner, after all…."
With that, Tae-il sprawled out flat on the floor. Sera eyed him enviously—something only a guy could pull off without a second thought.
"Uwaaaah. My back hurts…."
He'd been bending over nonstop chasing crickets, and now he whined about his back nonstop.
"Heh heh. If it hurts that bad, sis could…."
Give you a rub? Sera was about to offer, partly as thanks for all his help during the task, when Sakuya—freshly washed hands and all—strode up.
"Tae-il, there's a cricket on your head."
"Gah!"
Tae-il bolted upright in panic and whipped around. Nothing. Not even a cricket.
Realizing the prank, he shot Sakuya a fierce glare. Sure enough, she wore a mischievous grin.
"Pfft. Just kidding. You jumped like a scaredy-cat."
"Sakuya, you…!"
Was this the same boy who'd been whining about his back moments ago? He sprang up and chased after her.
In the cramped club room, Sakuya easily widened the gap with her long legs.
"Ahaha! Why're you so slow? Don't tell me that little jog this morning wore you out?"
"When I catch you, you're dead…!?"
Stoked by Sakuya's taunts, Tae-il poured strength into his trembling legs and lunged forward.
"Whoa!"
His swipe grazed her hair.
"Kaboom!"
Sakuya flashed a cheeky grin, deftly evaded, and bolted right out of the room.
"Hey! Stand still, you…!?"
"Why should I?"
"If I catch you, you're in for it at practice later!"
"Ooh, scary mommy~."
Scary, she said, but her face bloomed with laughter.
Hooked by Sakuya's provocations, Tae-il naturally gave chase and dashed out after her.
"I'll just grab her and be right back!"
"Sure."
Their footsteps faded into the distance. In the blink of an eye, the two had cleared out.
The room fell silent in an instant.
Sera awkwardly lowered the hand she'd extended toward Tae-il. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"Sigh."
Yuuya, who'd stood dazed until their footsteps vanished, let out a sigh and slid the door shut with a rattle.
She extended a hand to Sera, still sitting on the floor.
"You worked hard, Sera sis."
"Oh? Y-yeah. You too, Yuuya. Heh heh."
Sera took her hand and stood. They'd caught crickets while cleaning, so the room looked pretty tidy now.
Yuuya apologized.
"Sorry. We threw you right into the chaos."
"Heh heh. No need to say it like that."
Chaos was a breeder's fate. And teachers too.
Herding and teaching kids bursting with youthful energy was no joke. High schoolers were tricky—they were old enough to slip away like eels at every turn.
The scene Sera had witnessed earlier had flustered her at first, but now it just seemed hilarious.
"Ngh!"
Sera clutched her side and stretched her hunched back, her chest bouncing noticeably.
"Tch…."
Yuuya, caught comparing despite herself, clicked her tongue softly.
Sera patted her own shoulder with a fist.
"Agh. Guess I'm getting old. My back and shoulders are killing me already."
"Sit and rest. Want some coffee?"
"Please?"
Sera winked cutely, and Yuuya neatly shelved her earlier feelings with a poke at her own cheeks and a smile.
Just two people leaving, and the hectic, awkward vibe settled into calm.
Sera peered outside and tilted her head.
"So, where'd those two run off to? Doesn't seem like they just went out to tease and chase each other."
"To buy snacks…?"
Yuuya tilted her head too—she wasn't sure either.
Honestly. The moment Tae-il started chatting with Sera, Sakuya had wedged right in while washing her hands. Anyone could see….
Eh, they'll be back soon.
Yuuya shook her head and dropped the deep thoughts about Sakuya. Dates aside, she was exhausting in every way.
Sera asked, "The new member's just that one boy, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then why's he—and that Sakuraba girl—here? Doesn't seem like they're close with you, Yuuya."
"Um. One-day helpers…?"
Even Yuuya's tone lacked conviction. Sakuya had been genuinely helpful, but Ayane, who'd tagged along with Tae-il, had been nothing but a hindrance from start to finish.
"Correction: not helpers, saboteurs…."
Yuuya shot a glare at Ayane, who was blissfully passed out on the sofa.
As her expression soured, Sera chuckled softly.
"Still, looks like you're having fun. Sis is relieved."
"Am I…?"
"Yeah. Your complexion's brighter too."
Sera propped her chin on her interlaced fingers.
"You used to be like some child of darkness, all gloomy. Remember?"
"G-gloomy…."
"Heh heh. You gave off this total 'stay away' vibe."
Sera grinned mischievously, reminiscing about their first meeting.
As one might expect, they'd met through Fuyuko, their only connection.
It had been awkward as hell. They were polar opposites from the roots up.
Sera had a sharp look. Without a smile, she seemed intimidating; add makeup, and she was straight-up the playful popular girl.
Yuuya was the opposite—soft-featured. Without forcing a bright expression, she just looked moody.
Unlike Sera, who wore her emotions openly, Yuuya's face barely showed anything. Sera couldn't read her at all back then.
That's why Fuyuko sis was so impressive.
Fuyuko could clock Yuuya's mood without a word, unlike Sera.
Back then, Sera had freaked out, thinking all teachers had to be that perceptive.
Anyway. Yuuya's change was hugely positive. Sera was curious about the cause.
"You're gonna spill the details, right? Can this sis look forward to it?"
"W-well… It's got a lot of stuff that's hard to tell others…."
"Heh heh. That's what makes it perfect! Girls' talk!"
Girls' talk. For a chronic loner like Yuuya, the unfamiliar experience dragged on, turning her cheeks pink.
There was so much embarrassing stuff to share.
"It's a long story…."
"Yuuya, I've got all day."
Sera waited patiently. Yuuya's eyes darted like she was hunting for an escape, but Sera's encirclement was ironclad, and no help was coming.
"Come on, spill. Unlike some people, I'll listen seriously—no teasing."
"Really…?"
"Of course! Even stuff awkward to tell a teacher sis is all good! Backtalk welcome too!"
"You'll get in trouble…."
"So what? I'll get scolded, not you!"
"Pfft."
Yuuya burst out laughing. Shyly glancing around, she began recounting recent events in her soft, steady voice.
Some was stuff she'd heard from Fuyuko, some rehashed from LINE chats.
And. Here and there, Yuuya tried hiding truths, but Sera—ever the adult—saw through the clumsy lies and filtered accordingly.
Then it hit her: the oddity in Yuuya's tale.
Oh, I get it.
From midway on, the stories skewed heavily toward things she'd done with that boy, Tae-il.
Anything without him? Not even mentioned.
Compared to her old tales of animals and lost pets, this was night and day. Sera murmured inwardly.
Spring's hit Yuuya, huh?
Youth. The cringey story of a girl slowly changing after meeting a boy, unfolding right before her eyes.
Fun. Just hearing it made Yuuya seem so cute and heartwarming—she wanted to see the real thing.
Yuuya's story continued.
Rattle!
"Hey! We're back! Got snacks from the vending machine! Tae-il's treat!"
"Haha. We're home…."
Until Tae-il and Sakuya returned, arms full of vending machine snacks and drinks.