Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: A Slightly Changed Daily Life
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"Ugh."
My body woke me up on its own in the morning, and a groan escaped my lips without thinking.
The holiday was over.
And everyday weekdays had returned.
The memories of lounging around for days faded like a mirage, replaced once more by routine.
Even for someone as naturally lazy as me, the fact that I had to head out for morning exercise again felt like a total drag.
Still, doing this much was at least a way to pretend I was living a proper life.
The silver lining was that, as I'd mentioned before, my mind might be lazy, but my body moved briskly on its own.
Unless my condition was really off, it would start the day at my usual wake-up time without fail.
My will had nothing to do with it... my eyes just opened.
Even during the holiday, I'd wake up once in the morning only to sleep again until early lunch—that was the norm.
Anyway, so I showed up at our usual jogging spot, and there was Hong Yeonseo already stretching and waiting.
"You're here?"
"Yeah. Rest well?"
"Me? Always full of energy."
We exchanged casual chit-chat and joined in on the warm-up together.
A morning routine no different from before the holiday.
Without thinking much of it, I approached Hong Yeonseo and pressed my back against hers.
"Eek!?"
...But in that instant, she jumped away like she'd been shocked, bouncing forward.
"...What was that? Come on, let's stretch."
"Ah, no. Uh.... Ahem."
Hong Yeonseo mumbled, her mouth working awkwardly, before coming back over to me.
She'd never reacted like that before.
Of course, acting like nothing had happened was easier said than done.
And it made sense— we'd basically exchanged words close to a confession.
...Honestly, now that I thought about it, even I was starting to feel a bit tense.
Up until she'd reacted like that, I hadn't been thinking anything of it, but her overreaction made me conscious of it too.
"Seong Yurin probably won't show up today."
"...Why?"
We awkwardly pressed our backs together, helping each other with back stretches while trading small talk.
"Saw her last night—she caught a cold. No idea how bad it is, though."
"Hmm. So you two did meet up yesterday, huh."
Hong Yeonseo seemed more hung up on the fact that I'd been with Seong Yurin yesterday than the cold itself.
Remembering I'd been with Hong Yeonseo the day before that, I quickly threw out what sounded like an excuse.
"...We just met up for a meal."
"Hmph. Who said anything?"
Hong Yeonseo rubbed her lower back as she pulled away from me.
Her face looked like she genuinely wasn't bothered.
I'd ended up looking like a guilty thief jumping at shadows for no reason.
With her acting like that, I had nothing to say, so I turned my head away.
"Let's go."
I started off without waiting for her reply.
Hong Yeonseo's chatter came from behind, but I ignored it.
"Are you embarrassed? Ijin has some cute sides~"
La la la~ I can't hear you. Can't hear a thing.
......Embarrassed? Nah, just awkward, that's all.
I picked up the pace a bit more than usual.
...Naturally, Hong Yeonseo kept right up with me.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After finishing my jog with Hong Yeonseo and getting home for a shower, I checked my phone and saw Seong Yurin had messaged in the group chat.
She'd just woken up, wasn't feeling well, and was sorry she couldn't make morning exercise.
I added a few words to the flood of concerned replies from everyone.
Nothing much.
Just take care of yourself and see you at school later.
Even so, Seong Yurin picked out my message to reply.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Hmm."
I opened the fridge for breakfast, but all that was inside was kimchi.
Not even a single egg—the fridge was completely empty otherwise.
With all my meals out during the holiday, I'd forgotten to restock.
The pantry had only a few ramen packs left and two instant rice pouches.
Still, with kimchi on hand, I could scrape together one meal, so I figured I'd throw together breakfast and shop on the way home from school for dinner.
I debated seriously between ramen and kimchi fried rice, then went with the fried rice.
I'd had instant ramen for dinner last night too.
As for why I hadn't noticed the fridge situation then? I don't bother pulling out kimchi when it's just one ramen serving.
I eat it if I'm with someone, but slicing it up for a solo bowl is too much hassle.
I chopped the kimchi fine, stir-fried it in oil, crumbled the instant rice to coat it, and done.
Kimchi fried rice, best friend of five million solo dwellers, whipped up in no time.
A fried egg would've been nice, but you can't make what isn't there.
Well-stirred kimchi and rice in oil? Good enough.
No sugar or soy sauce needed. Our house kimchi is tasty enough on its own.
The difficulty of kimchi fried rice is about on par with boiling ramen, really.
Still, cooking in the morning helped me slip back into the rhythm of daily life.
I'd skipped it entirely during the holiday out of laziness.
"Play days" really do bring out my true slothful nature.
No matter how much I ordered my body to get moving, it was useless.
With breakfast done...
Time check: plenty to spare even if I took it slow.
"Ugyaa."
...Time to laze around, then.
It was tough getting back into morning action after so long.
Holidays with too much lounging really mess with returning to routine.
My phone had a few piled-up tasks from my diligent rest period.
Gonna be busy for a while.
I plopped on the sofa and closed my eyes for a bit.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A little nervous.
As school time approached, thinking about facing the others made my mouth go dry.
Well, not the others—just not sure how to face Lee Sea.
Seong Yurin wasn't the type where nothing had happened, so she'd probably talked it over with Lee Sea.
Which meant Lee Sea knew exactly what had gone down yesterday.
My steps toward downtown felt heavy, but skipping school wasn't an option.
I dragged my feet along slowly.
Passing familiar paths and crosswalks, from quiet stretches to crowded areas.
Before I knew it, the subway station was in sight... and three figures standing in front caught my eye.
"Ijin~"
Lee Sea waved with a bright smile, Lee Soyun beside her with a faint one.
And Yoon Jiu yawning hugely next to them.
Just three days, but it felt like forever.
Surprisingly... Lee Sea greeted me normally, no weird vibes, just like always.
Thanks to that, I relaxed and joined them.
We swapped the usual post-birthday check-ins and headed to school quietly.
Just like before the holiday.
A commute that felt unchanged.
I snuck a glance at Yoon Jiu.
What was he thinking?
From that call two days ago, it seemed like he had some feelings for the girls too.
Not just one, but several.
Never dreamed I'd end up rivals with this guy overnight.
I hoped it'd all work out smoothly, but I couldn't read his mind.
Sometimes he looked blank.
Sometimes he frowned a bit.
......Gonna need to talk with him sometime.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Hong Yeonseo and Seong Yurin were already in class when I arrived, chatting at their desks.
Hong Yeonseo was as she'd been that morning, but Seong Yurin wore a mask with a thin blanket draped over her shoulders.
The blanket looked luxurious, like a stylish cape.
Enviable cape...... er, blanket.
Unaware of my thoughts, they greeted us.
Lee Soyun hurried over to Seong Yurin, asking worriedly after her.
"You okay? Does it hurt bad?"
"Just a light cold. It'll be gone in a day."
Seong Yurin smiled reassuringly, saying there was no need to worry.
Good to know it wasn't serious.
Lee Sea quietly joined them, chatting too.
"It must be 'cause I dragged you out that night, right? Sorry..."
"It's fine. I was the idiot who caught a cold acting like that."
Seeing the four of them get along so well was nice.
I exchanged light greetings and headed to my seat.
But Yoon Jiu's actions stood out a bit.
With Lee Sea and Lee Soyun clustered around Seong Yurin, he casually perched on Hong Yeonseo's desk to talk.
It was totally everyday conversation, but her expression soured, drawing my eye.
Yoon Jiu didn't seem to notice.
I recalled what Hong Yeonseo had told me two days ago.
She knew Yoon Jiu liked her...
Now that she'd said it, her attitude made sense.
I hadn't noticed before, but that was her putting up a wall.
Looks like I'll have plenty to discuss with Yoon Jiu.