Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Everyday
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Friday's study session wrapped up, followed by a peaceful weekend, and now it was Monday.
Seong Yurin, whom we met that morning, greeted us with a calm expression, as if she'd shed some of her mental burden.
Hong Yeonseo looked happy seeing her like that.
Me too.
After a good jog, I glanced back and forth at the two of them catching their breath on either side of me.
Getting to meet two high school girls with such contrasting charms every morning. What a blessed life.
"Shall we head in?"
They looked sufficiently rested, so I brushed myself off and stood.
Red eyes and blue eyes turned toward me.
"Alright, let's make today energetic too~"
...
She sounded just like some construction site foreman.
Still, at this point, I could find it kind of cute. Call it affection.
Until last week, I'd stuck to watching from afar.
Especially once we entered the original story timeline, excluding our childhood days.
But now I knew it was pointless. Time for a fresh mindset.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Morning Korean class. A middle-aged female teacher with a stern impression entered the room.
"Hand in the homework from last time. Pass it forward from the back."
I passed forward the Korean practice problems I'd done over the weekend.
But Yoon Jiu must not have done his. I could clearly see him trembling from behind. Should've studied like I told you.
"Yoon Jiu. Seo Ju-hyuk. Hwang Jae-ho. You guys again? Go stand in the back."
In the end, the three who didn't submit—including Yoon Jiu—had to stand at the back for class.
Along with Yoon Jiu, they were infamous in the class as the so-called 'playboys.' Yoon Jiu was a bit better off since he hung out with us.
No bad rumors yet, so he must be behaving himself... Still, I felt like I needed to keep a tighter leash on him.
Back in my day, kids who didn't do homework just came up front and got a solid ten whacks...
Hmm. Sounding like an old fogey.
"Opening the book. Midterms are about a month away, so you all know you need to study hard, right?"
Yes—
"Sigh. Listen to those voices from the start of the semester. High school first-years already this limp?"
Whether first-years or semester start, studying is tiring. Teacher.
"Let's see, where did Class C leave off..."
It was boring, but I didn't ignore the lesson like back then.
Just doodling in the textbook margins when my brain stalled—otherwise, I listened diligently.
Even if I got top spot through the backdoor, I had to cover the basics or people would talk.
Couldn't lose face in front of Seong Yurin, who shared that top spot with me.
This wasn't college majors needing deep understanding for good grades—most subjects could be solved with memorization.
That's why perfect scorers swear by textbook study.
Tok tok.
Lee Soyun tapped her pen on the desk where I could see.
Glancing over with just my eyes, I saw neat handwriting on her desk.
[Want to grab dinner together tonight?]
I twirled my pen.
Then nudged my textbook toward her a bit and started note-passing in the corner.
[Just us?]
[Yeah]
[Downtown?]
[Yeah]
Only yeahs, Soyun.
Seeing her suggest dinner just the two of us, I paused my pen for a moment.
I knew she meant nothing by it, but a guy's heart still gets hopeful anyway.
[Anything you want?]
[Tonkatsu!]
Tonkatsu, huh. I like it too.
While I pondered, she added a few more words.
[There's a place I want to check out]
[Call me after club]
No plans anyway, so dinner with Soyun would work.
[Yeah]
Soyun beamed at her short reply.
She must really be craving tonkatsu.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Oh, right."
After school, heading to the old building for club, I suddenly paused at a thought.
'That senior's coming today, right?'
Yu Seol, the one the president was introducing.
"Introducing" just meant getting faces familiar before the event, but meeting someone new was always tense.
I unnecessarily rolled my neck and headed to the clubroom.
Knocking at the door before opening, it slid smoothly.
"Junior! You're here!"
The president's welcome rang out from inside. Turning, I saw a familiar room but an unfamiliar back of a head.
A white girl rose gracefully from her chair, turning to greet me.
Her soft-looking hair fluttered as her face turned my way.
"Hi... Seo Ijin, right? I'm Yu Seol, second-year."
I'd assumed she was timid from her shy photo, but she didn't seem so. Felt pretty bold, actually.
Meeting Yu Seol's eyes, I gave a polite junior's greeting.
"Ah, yes. Seo Ijin here. Senior Yu Seol."
"Ugh, feels tickly... C-call me casually."
Not quite. Bowing her head and fidgeting hands at formal speech seemed shy after all.
"Hehe. This senior hopes her two juniors get along well."
"Want the three of us to cosplay?"
"…………."
Hit right on target, the president went silent and sipped her tea.
Didn't want to just stand, so I grabbed a simple drink.
Glancing around, darkroom curtains meant vice president and treasurer were watching anime.
Sat facing Yu Seol after getting my drink; she shyly lifted her head to look at me.
"H-heard from Ara sis you're a pro illustrator... true?"
"Uh... pro, yeah. If getting paid counts."
Awkward saying it myself...
"Really? Awesome. Actually, I'm super interested in that too."
"Illustrations?"
"Yeah. Right now, I'm studying for art entrance exams."
Yu Seol glanced at the president and continued.
"But last summer, I happened to get close with this sis..."
Yeah, could guess the rest without hearing.
Though dragged into subculture by Yu Ara's force, Yu Seol said she'd grown really interested too.
Heard she'd studied art a long time. If seriously considering a career switch, her interest wasn't casual.
"So I've been torn. Whether to move from entrance art club to subculture club or comics club."
"Ah."
Dawn High lets you change clubs once a year.
Not every student sticks to one path, so transfers were common.
Even without official switch, procedures let you activity-hop early.
Yearly gap was a bit long otherwise.
"A few days ago, Ara sis told me about you."
"Aha."
Torn on career, she wanted to meet the "pro" me.
"S-so, if you're okay, could I get some drawing help? Not everything from scratch—just occasional advice."
"Club activity time's fine."
Basically empty practice time anyway. Could help a little.
Though first wonder if I could help someone formally trained.
Yu Seol beamed at my words.
"Really? Th-then, please take care of me."
Felt awkward vibe, but she extended her hand. I shook it.
Her small hand had calluses from years gripping a brush.
"Eek!?"
Hmm. My stroke felt weird; she yanked away startled.
"Sorry."
"N-no, just surprised..."
Our greeting done, the president—who'd been quietly watching us alternate—finally spoke.
"Oh my. Getting close so fast—makes me happy."
She laughed, hand dramatically over mouth.
"How about dinner tonight? To celebrate..."
Yu Seol asked me.
"Sorry, prior engagement today."
"Ugh, o-okay... Can't be helped."
"Junior! What about our Seol?"
"...Pardon?"
"Eek!"
Yu Seol lunged at the president with a weird yell.
"Not what you meant!"
"Kyaa! Tea's spilling!"
President sighed, balancing amazingly without spilling.
"Anyway, junior! Prior engagement a girl, right? Of course it's a girl?"
"………."
Of course? What image does she have of me.
...But true, so speechless.
"That cute junior from before? You two dating!?"
"Calm down. Please."
I desperately reined in the president on the verge again. Even nailed my dinner date in the chaos.
Meanwhile, Yu Seol watched us from afar with curious eyes.