Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Promise
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Having finished our not-quite-a-date date, I headed home.
Lee Soyun finished getting ready for bed and lay down, kicking her feet excitedly.
"Ugh... Another failure today."
Halfway through, she'd gotten unexpectedly into it and ended up enjoying the games more than trying to appeal as a woman. That had been her downfall.
Stupid idiot. This isn't the time to be messing around with games.
Still, the time spent with Seo Ijin had been so much fun.
Lee Soyun fiddled endlessly with the sticker photo tucked in front of her student ID in her wallet.
The two of them looked like a perfectly happy couple in the picture.
I hope our relationship really turns out like this someday.
Replaying the feelings she hadn't been able to voice in front of him, Lee Soyun rolled around on the bed with her rabbit plushie.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Nom nom... Oh, right. Jia's been hounding me lately to introduce her to you guys."
During lunch, as we gathered like always to eat, Yoon Jiu brought it up.
"Jia... Oh, your little sister."
Seong Yurin responded as if she'd just remembered.
"Yeah. Seo Ijin said he'd make some time to meet up with you all back then."
"Oh yeah, that's right."
Truth be told, I'd completely forgotten.
With so much on my mind these past few days...
"We could just grab a meal together."
Hong Yeonseo said it while shoveling a big bite of fried rice into her mouth.
"We can meet up on a day when everyone's free."
I replied to Yoon Jiu like that and finished my meal.
Lately, it felt like my schedule was filling up with outings.
To think I'd end up living a life packed with appointments like this. What a feeling.
Back when I was living my previous high school life, could I have ever imagined this?
"Hmm~ How about we meet up Friday or over the weekend, hang out at a café, grab dinner, and call it a day?"
Everyone agreed with Lee Sea's suggestion.
We chatted like that, settled on plans to meet Yoon Jia, and finished lunch.
As I picked up my empty bowls and headed to the tray return, Lee Sea caught up behind me.
"Jina."
"What."
"Did you have fun with Soyun yesterday?"
"...Huh? Yeah. I guess so."
Did Lee Soyun tell her? It wasn't really a secret, so I answered casually.
"Hmmm. Next time, take me out too, got it?"
Lee Sea leaned in close, peering at my face.
I instinctively pulled back a little and nodded.
"Got it. Watch where you're going before you trip."
"It's a promise?"
"I said yes..."
Having gotten my firm confirmation, Lee Sea pulled back with a smile.
"Yes!"
She clenched her fist like she'd accomplished a great victory and walked off.
Why are kids these days so into going out all the time?
These piling-up promises were becoming a real hassle.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Seo Ijin~ What'd you do with Soyun yesterday?"
During PE class.
Hong Yeonseo approached me as I lounged by the platform.
The girls were playing dodgeball, weren't they?
I turned to look and saw the girls still at it.
Hong Yeonseo's slightly damp hair suggested she'd come over mid-game too.
"What, not playing dodgeball?"
"Just stepped out for a drink. Anyway, what'd you do with Soyun yesterday?"
Why did they all have to come asking about yesterday one by one?
"Nothing much. Ate dinner... hung out a bit, then went home."
The corner of Hong Yeonseo's eye twitched sharply.
She wore the same smile as before, but the vibe felt totally different.
The air flow... it turned cold!
"What'd you do while hanging out?"
".......We went to an arcade in the city."
Only after my answer did the frozen air warm up again.
Hong Yeonseo could get scary like Lee Sea sometimes.
"Ooh! I love games too! Let's go together sometime."
"When I have time."
"Every day? Oh my~ Am I that irresistible?"
She dramatically covered her mouth with exaggerated gestures, pretending to be shocked.
"I don't hang out every day."
Busy schedule, even if it doesn't look like it.
Work stuff, and other people too.
"Anyway. Is that a promise? You have to come when I call?"
"When I have time."
"Boo. Give me a straight answer."
Her eyes were full of determination to keep bugging me if I didn't agree, so I had no choice but to nod.
"Fine..."
In the end, I'd made another promise.
Was this déjà vu?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Um, Ijin."
After all classes ended and everyone scattered for club activities.
Rarely, Seong Yurin approached me, calling my name directly.
Since that study session, it felt like we'd gotten a bit closer.
"What?"
"Well... about last time. I did apologize, but... it was just words."
"Oh. I'm fine, really."
"S-still. I want to make it up to you, even if it's just a little so you don't feel burdened."
"I don't even know why I should be getting an apology from you."
"Sorry... Sea said she'd tell you soon."
Lee Sea? Guess since it involved both of them, they were keeping it secret between them.
"Alright. If it'll make you feel better, buy me a meal sometime."
"Is... is that enough?"
"Yeah. Anything more would actually burden me."
Seong Yurin nodded at my words.
"Okay. Tell me when you're free. I'll work around your schedule."
"Sure. I'll text you later. I'm heading out. Good luck with Academic Advancement Class studies."
I gave her a word of encouragement for her Academic Advancement Class and turned to head to my club.
...Wait, I'd just made another promise.
Was this déjà vu?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The clubroom after school.
"Hello."
"Ah! You made it."
When I opened the door to the clubroom, no one else was around—Yusul greeted me warmly.
Looked like Yusul had decided to do club activities with the Subculture Club in the meantime.
"Yeah. Senior's here too."
"Yup. You said you'd help, so I switched right over. Hehe."
Yusul's innocent smile made my insides burn with anxiety.
Could I really provide any meaningful help to her...?
"The others... must be in there."
I pointed to the closed darkroom, and Yusul followed my gaze, nodding.
"Yeah. They're looking at comics."
I crept up carefully, not letting any light in, and peeked inside.
But contrary to Yusul's words about comics, I saw three people in serious expressions, holding a meeting.
"For the upcoming event, let's maximize those two to rake in as much profit as possible."
"Mm. Collect as much investment as we can, then go for the biggest booth."
"Heh heh. A perfect plan. As expected from the two I trust!"
Shh.
Having glimpsed the chaos beyond the dark curtain, I erased the memory.
I saw nothing.
"Why the face? Weren't they reading comics?"
"Huh? Yeah. They were reading comics."
Seeing Yusul's pure, innocent face, I couldn't bring myself to say the three club officers were plotting to exploit us for money.
I made my usual hot chocolate and moved to my spot.
But there was a desk pushed right up next to mine.
"Ah! They said that was the junior spot, so... mind if I work next to you?"
"Uh, sure. Yeah, that's fine."
"Thanks. I'll learn a ton."
Yusul's sparkling eyes were way too intense.
I wished she'd dial back her expectations of me a bit.
I sat down, spun my pen like always, and got to drawing.
I could feel an incredible gaze from beside me, but I could ignore that much and work.
..........
"Um, Senior?"
"Ah! S-sorry. Was I bothering you?"
Yusul jumped in surprise and shriveled up. She was similar to Seong Yurin in that way.
"A little."
"I was just amazed. Your drawing technique is so different."
"Is it? I never formally studied art, so maybe others do it differently."
"Really? Wow, you're this good self-taught."
Yusul's gaze intensified even more.
Because of it, my lines felt sharper today.
Club time was wrapping up soon.
Truth be told, the moment I ran into Yusul, I'd been worried about what kind of help to offer.
But today, she seemed content just watching.
She didn't draw her own stuff, just kept observing me.
The stare was burdensome, but this was better than her asking me to teach her everything.
As I packed up my tools, Yusul flinched and checked the clock.
"Oh. Time flew."
"Yeah. Those three still in a meeting... no, watching anime?"
I lifted the curtain again to say goodbye.
Fortunately, they were normally watching anime this time.
The light from behind drew their attention.
"Oh. Junior. Heading out?"
"Yeah. Time to go."
"Yup. We'd better pack up too."
I grabbed my bag, ready to leave, as they started tidying.
Then Yusul grabbed me from behind.
"Um. Seo Ijin...? Junior...?"
"Just call me by name. Casually."
"Ah, okay. Ijin. About what we talked about yesterday."
"Yesterday?"
What did we talk about yesterday?
Seeing me think, Yusul pouted.
"To celebrate getting closer, let's grab dinner together."
"Oh... Oh, yeah. I'll text you when I'm free."
I couldn't flat-out refuse, so I made yet another promise.
"Yay! You better!"
This really was déjà vu, wasn't it?