Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Seniors #3
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The inside of the goods shop was quiet, with hardly any customers.
Thanks to that, I could relax with a comfortable mind.
It wasn't like I felt embarrassed if someone saw me here or anything.
Still, fewer people were always better if possible.
The shop interior, plastered from floor to walls to ceiling with beautiful girl illustrations, gave the illusion of stepping into a world from a comic.
From a rom-com novel into the anime world. Inception, huh?
"Look here, there's Granpia merch too."
For reference, Granpia—the game the president mentioned—is the one we're cosplaying from.
Since it's fairly well-known in this industry, it seemed to have its own dedicated space inside the shop.
"There's merch of the character Ijin drew."
Yuseol said this as she held up an acrylic stand for me to see.
Oh... yeah, it's really there.
It wasn't an illustration I'd drawn myself, but seeing a character whose original design came from my art rendered in someone else's style brought a mix of wonder and pride.
After that, though we didn't buy much, the three of us diligently wandered the shop.
Each floor had a narrow layout, but with three stories, the place was reasonably spacious overall.
"......Huh."
As we browsed, my eyes suddenly landed on a wallpaper poster of a character that looked just like the president.
It showed a serene figure resembling her, holding out a teacup with both hands as she enjoyed tea time.
...Well, not the president herself, but a character who looked eerily similar.
Then again, with her such a distinct concept, it made sense for similar characters to exist.
I trudged toward the poster, and the two followed behind me.
"It has a vibe similar to you, sis."
"R-Really?"
The person in question seemed flustered, but to Yuseol and me, it felt like this was exactly what the president would look like as a character.
"Great idea just hit me. Let's buy this and stick it on the clubroom wall. Heh."
"Ugh. Why am I the one feeling embarrassed?"
"Because it looks like you?"
"I don't see it at all..."
I couldn't tell if the president genuinely thought that or if she was just embarrassed.
Her half-hearted objections lost to our enthusiastic agreement.
In the end, the poster ended up in Yuseol's hands at checkout.
We grabbed the president—who was threatening revenge by hunting for pics resembling me and Yuseol—and left the shop.
"That was a fun browse. And we scored something."
"Ugh. It feels weird every time I look at it."
The president rubbed her arms, claiming goosebumps.
Come to think of it, we'd been walking nonstop for quite a while, so I grew concerned about their legs.
I suggested heading to a cafe to sit for a bit.
"Oh my. Such a thoughtful side—bonus points, junior."
"By the way, what's my score so far?"
"Hehe. 100?"
I hoped it wasn't some lame joke like 100 out of 1,000 points.
Maybe it was just my personal delusion, but I felt like I'd gotten a lot closer to the president. A small wish that she felt the same.
I took the seated seniors' orders and handled them.
In the midst of that, we'll skip the minor episode where the president—who'd picked a green tea latte of all things—and the tea-sipping character poster made Yuseol and me burst out laughing as we glanced between them.
"Shall we chill a bit longer, then hit karaoke?"
Yuseol said this, nibbling her straw after slurping her green grape ade.
"Karaoke?"
"Yeah. Can't think of anywhere else good... Karaoke's comfy, right?"
"Yeah, fair enough."
The outdoor air was starting to wear on us, so Yuseol's indoor suggestion was welcome to me too.
That said, three otakus hitting karaoke—it's gotta mean what I think, right?
I pictured the medley of J-pop coming from the president and senior soon.
The president spoke up, eyeing me as I spaced out.
"Um, got a question. What got you into drawing, junior?"
"Out of nowhere?"
"Yep. Just suddenly curious. Hehe."
"Me too!"
The story of how I got into drawing.
For starters, it had nothing to do with my past life's hobbies or job.
My skill was purely this life's talent.
Hmm. It began with doodles scribbled in textbook corners, I guess.
Lee Sea praised those doodles, and being a kid, I got a bit smug and dove in more excitedly.
From there, with my longstanding interest in subculture, I naturally drifted into this scene.
I shared this rough outline with them, and both looked fascinated.
"Ooh. Started with doodles, then a cute, pretty, adorable childhood friend keeps praising you and nurtures your dream—classic story?"
"...Excuse me."
"So... romantic..."
"I didn't put it quite like that."
"Ahh~ I'm jealous of Ijin-junior's childhood friend. It's like a novel's protagonist and heroine."
"Sigh..."
They weren't listening to me anymore.
In their imaginations, Lee Sea and I had already transformed into destined soulmates.
Or maybe protagonists from a pure-love anime.
All misunderstandings...
A bit later, I earnestly explained to the somewhat recovered duo that it wasn't like that.
They just grinned and nodded.
It was the first time those beautifully curved smiling lips looked so smug.
"Childhood friend, huh..."
Yuseol, who'd been laughing, suddenly closed her eyes and murmured.
I locked eyes with Yuseol's violet gaze as she opened them again.
Along with the illusion of being pulled in.
For some reason, neither of us looked away, turning it into a staring contest for a few seconds.
"Hm?"
The president's puzzled hum snapped me back to reality just before I averted my eyes.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After our cafe break, we headed out to find a karaoke spot.
I told the two to follow and took the lead, heading to the one I knew.
You know the place.
The one from Hong Yeonseo's tournament day before.
Can't pass up those mat seats.
Not too far from downtown center, we got there quick.
"Wouldn't a coin karaoke be better? Cheaper."
"Not much price difference. Paying a little extra for comfort's worth it. I'll cover it, so let's go."
This place was definitely pricier than coin ops.
Since I'd picked it, I'd foot the bill.
President and senior said no need, but nodded when I explained it made me uncomfortable otherwise.
The familiar owner wasn't in today—a part-timer girl stood at the counter.
Shame. Owner usually tossed in free snacks.
I snagged a mat room and ushered them in first.
Drinks are free here, so gotta chug to break even on the cost.
I entered the room hands full of cups, and they scampered over to grab them.
"Wow, been to karaoke a few times, but first with mats like this."
"Me too... Didn't know places like this existed. Comfy too. Nice."
Their reactions had my shoulders puffing up for no reason.
"Put in plenty of time, so relax till dinner."
I said it like pure consideration, hiding my urge to flop down.
Well, it wasn't insincere—just 70% laziness to 30% care, maybe...
After they sat, I leaned half-reclined against the wall. Can't fully lie or my gut shows.
Soon the president dove in excitedly with an anisong, and Yuseol hopped on to amp the mood.
Short otaku tenure, but she's done her homework. Mhm.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ We spent a solid two hours singing, resting, singing, resting—pure fun.
Then the president's phone suddenly rang.
"Huh? Hold on, gotta take this."
President stepped out, leaving silence between Yuseol and me.
A close to B, B close to C, then B dips—awkward city.
Old variety shows used to do "hope you bond" bits in these spots.
In the end, random thoughts piling up, we didn't sing—just eyed each other awkwardly till she returned.
Yuseol probably felt the same as me.
President's return thawed things...
but.
"Sorry, emergency came up—gotta head out first. You two enjoy dinner. Hehe. I'll quiz you on bonding later?"
With that, she whooshed away like the wind, poster from earlier in hand.
...She better not toss it.
In the quiet, my phone buzzed—president's text: "See you Monday."
"......"
"........."
"............You like Japanese food?"
"Y-Yeah."
We scratched our heads and slunk out of karaoke, all awkward-like.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Thankfully, food in our mouths thawed the awkwardness a tad.
I brought Yuseol to that ramen joint from before—with Lee Soyun and Seong Yurin.
Out of my mental DB of spots I dig that girls also like, slim pickings.
At my 3-for-3-win ramen shop, I caught Yuseol's eye smile.
Thanks, boss!
Post-dinner, time to split. We'd been out since lunch—solid playtime.
Yuseol dorms, so I walked her to the route to school.
"Alright. Catch you in the clubroom later."
"Yeah. Get home safe, senior."
"You too."
Sky starting to redden at dusk, I watched Yuseol's white silver hair glow pinkish as she turned and walked away, then headed off myself.