Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Sports Festival #8
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I headed to the staff room with Lee Sea.
It was to find out which hospital Yoon Jiu had been admitted to.
The other kids decided to wait at the school gate.
As we entered the staff room, several teachers' eyes turned our way.
"Sea? What's up? Ijin’s with you too?"
A familiar, gentle voice called our names.
Among the teachers who noticed us was our homeroom teacher, Jeong Chaeyeon, who stood up from her seat and guided us to hers.
She had already changed out of her gym clothes into comfortable casual attire, her black hair, previously tied back, now loose and flowing.
Once we stood before her and explained we wanted to visit Yoon Jiu, she readily gave us the hospital's name and address.
"I just got a call from the school nurse. Apparently, Jiu cracked a bone, so he'll need a cast for a while. Take good care of him and cheer him up, okay?"
"Ah... Got it."
So that's how it turned out.
Considering he was the type to shake off a minor sprain and bounce right back, hearing he'd been hospitalized made me think it was pretty serious.
How badly did that guy fall?
The human body is tougher than it seems.
With the matter wrapped up quickly, we thanked her and turned to leave the staff room when her voice called out.
"Oh, and Ijin?"
"Yes?"
The teacher hesitated for a moment, touching her cheek with a troubled look before speaking.
"...Um. Well, if you're okay with it, could you fill in for Jiu as vice class president for a bit? As compensation, I'll give you some store points at my discretion."
"Ah. Sure, what would it involve?"
"Yeah. There probably won't be any tasks just for the vice president alone, so you can tag along with Sea. With the sports festival coming up soon, there might be some heavy lifting or busier days... Please, I'm counting on you."
Moved by her troubled expression, I readily accepted the offer.
Store points were always a plus.
Sea was the class president anyway, so no awkwardness there.
As for Yoon Jiu... well, we're friends, at least. I could cover for him on this.
Plus, it was good to keep a positive relationship with the homeroom teacher.
"Yes. Understood."
"Really? Great. Thank you. Just trust me on the points!"
She puffed out her chest proudly, thumping it with her fist.
"Then we'll be going."
"Sure. When you see Jiu, tell him to give me a call, okay?"
"Yep."
I acknowledged her final request and left the staff room with Lee Sea.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Take good care of me for a while?"
As we left the staff room, Lee Sea offered a handshake.
What was this sudden formality... Still, I took her outstretched hand without making it awkward.
"Yeah, yeah. Just show me the ropes."
"Heh. The vice president doesn't have much to do anyway, so no worries."
"Good."
"But with the sports festival right around the corner, there might be some work there."
"......"
"Pfft. It's fun watching your expression flip every time. It'll be fine. The event committee seniors are around too."
"Is it fine or tough? Pick one."
"Hehe. Who knows what the future holds?"
"Ah, right."
We bantered lightly as we headed to the school gate.
Leaning against one side of the gate, the other three came into view, waiting for us.
I waved to signal our arrival, and they brushed off their backs and butts from leaning, ready to go.
"Let's go. The hospital's in the city."
"Everyone contacted their clubs, right?"
"Yeah."
Naturally, Lee Sea and I took the lead, with Lee Soyun, Hong Yeonseo, and Seong Yurin following behind.
"Give me his bag. I'll carry it."
"Huh? No need."
"I said hand it over. Quick."
Noticing me with two bags, Hong Yeonseo—who wasn't carrying one—tried to take Yoon Jiu's from me.
It wasn't heavy or anything, but refusing her offer felt rude.
And it wasn't like she was taking on some huge burden, so I handed it over.
"Oh..."
Then Lee Soyun looked at Hong Yeonseo and gave her finger guns in applause.
"W-Why?"
"Nah, just thinking I should learn from you..."
"Learn what... Ahem."
I chuckled at the comedic exchange behind me and hurried us along.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Ah, yes. Yoon Jiu, the orthopedic patient admitted today? Room 611."
At the hospital, the receptionist nurse smiled brightly and kindly directed us when we asked about Yoon Jiu.
Her warm, kind smile lifted my mood too, so I returned a light smile and bowed in thanks.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome~"
I bowed deeply in gratitude and headed for the elevator.
"...Why are you grinning like that?"
Lee Soyun sidled up and poked my side.
"Well, I can't exactly scowl..."
"Tch."
I understood why Lee Soyun was acting this way...
But she was just a passing acquaintance.
No need to leave a bad impression.
"I get the sentiment, but... Soyun, ease up. It'll just tire you out."
At Lee Sea's words, Lee Soyun quieted and returned to Seong Yurin's side.
"Thanks."
I murmured my gratitude, and Lee Sea pouted cutely.
"Hmph. I'm on Soyun's side too, you know?"
...Don't tell me you're joining in.
We passed various patients and arrived at room 611.
Since it wasn't a private room just for Yoon Jiu, we knocked lightly, peeked in, and checked.
Among the full beds, a familiar face was visible.
We found the right place.
I pushed the door open wide and walked in with the others toward Yoon Jiu.
"Hey. How's the leg?"
As I spoke up, Yoon Jiu, who had been fiddling with his phone while grimacing, slowly looked up.
"...What? You guys?"
His face showed awkwardness, a mix of pleasure and detachment.
Having visitors when you're hurt is great, but... some resentment lingered.
"We came to visit. Heard you got hurt bad..."
Lee Sea spoke to him carefully.
It felt like the first time seeing them talk since things got awkward.
Ah, of course, they'd exchanged official class president business before.
Proving it, Yoon Jiu answered without meeting her eyes, gaze wandering.
"...Yeah. Hurts a bit."
He tried to play it cool, but his expression didn't relax.
They must've given him painkillers, yet his leg still looked painful.
The guy who yelped over a paper cut...
I seated the four girls in the chairs by the bed.
Only three seats, so Lee Soyun sat on Seong Yurin's lap.
I forced the reluctant Hong Yeonseo to sit and leaned against the bed's foot.
"Did you call your parents?"
At Lee Sea's question, Yoon Jiu's face fell in realization as he checked his phone.
"...Ah, forgot. I'll call when you leave."
"No, call them now."
Under Lee Sea's direct gaze, Yoon Jiu slowly nodded.
"Okay, got it."
We lounged in the chairs while he made the call.
"Hm. Should've grabbed something on the way? Like fruit."
"Yeah, didn't think of it rushing here."
Hearing Lee Soyun and Seong Yurin, I pushed off the bed.
...I wanted to patch things up with Yoon Jiu, but it was still awkward.
Something to drink would keep my idle hands busy.
"There's a convenience store downstairs. I'll grab drinks."
"Ah, I'll come."
Seong Yurin quickly moved Lee Soyun from her lap to Hong Yeonseo's and stood.
"???"
Lee Soyun was covered in question marks at her sudden relocation, while Hong Yeonseo blinked in surprise at the new lap warmer.
Leaving them behind, Seong Yurin and I left the room.
"...Something happened between you two, huh?"
Was it her knack for reading the atmosphere?
Once alone in the elevator, Seong Yurin quietly spoke up.
"Yeah, pretty much."
"What do you think of him? Still want to be friends again?"
"If possible, sure."
"......Yeah. I'd like that too. ...You guys were such good friends."
Seong Yurin turned forward with a dry, somehow sad smile.
Knowing her circumstances, I quietly looked away.
She seemed like she didn't want her expression seen.
"With a little time... maybe you can reconcile."
With my eyes fixed on the elevator door, she gave no response.
No affirmation or denial.