Chapter 81
Chapter 81
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: Sports Festival #13
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Hong Yeonseo was a girl who possessed such overwhelming skill in the world of girls' handball that she was called a prodigy.
When it came to handball—setting aside all other factors—her technique for throwing the ball with her hands alone placed her at the absolute pinnacle among her peers, with no one able to match her.
And that talent shone just as brightly in dodgeball.
But it wasn't just about throwing and hitting targets well—far from it.
Her movements were lightning-quick too, allowing her to dodge or snatch out of the air most balls flying at her from moderate distances.
Being human, there were naturally some balls she physically couldn't avoid, but in a high school dodgeball game, no one was throwing pitches like that.
Of course, the opposing team had some athletes mixed in, so sharp attacks came occasionally, but they still fell short of tagging Hong Yeonseo.
...Even if they'd gotten lucky or pulled off some great play to take her out, they probably still wouldn't have won.
Dodgeball isn't over just because someone gets eliminated from the field.
So why am I going on so long about praising Hong Yeonseo?
Because our class won the dodgeball match way too easily.
Set score: 3:0.
You might think it's fair to gloat a bit seeing the opponents so deflated, but to Hong Yeonseo, that would probably go against sportsmanship.
At least when it came to sports, she always gave her all.
Though it seemed like she didn't put in half that effort with studying.
Hong Yeonseo exchanged high-fives with our classmates as the match was called.
Then she approached the opposing team's captain and offered a handshake.
A simple handshake, no words exchanged—just hands clasped.
With the bright smile of victory wiped clean from her face, she offered her hand with a solemn expression. When the opponent gripped it in return, she gave a small nod and turned away. That retreating figure looked somehow larger than life.
Probably a habit she'd picked up from years of competing since childhood.
Especially since Hong Yeonseo had been on the winning side for so long, she likely felt even more compelled to show respect to her opponents.
Give your all during the match, show maximum consideration afterward without mocking or toying with them, and convey that it was a good fight—that attitude was remarkably mature.
Lots of people must have felt the same, because Hong Yeonseo received applause as she made her stylish exit.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "You were kinda cool back there."
"Heehee... Thanks."
Blushing bashfully, Hong Yeonseo's cool demeanor from moments ago vanished as she started stuffing snacks into her mouth like a squirrel.
...Yeah. This side of her, and the one on the court—they're both Hong Yeonseo.
Dodgeball had ended, but there was an awkward gap until lunchtime.
"What now? Should we go cheer for the other kids' matches?"
I made a bored face at Lee Sea's suggestion.
With the moms here too, wandering around sounded exhausting, and aside from a few, I wasn't close to anyone else in class anyway.
"Eh... I don't really feel like walking around a ton."
"How about we head to a spot for lunch early instead?"
Lee Soyun offered an alternative to my comment.
Seong Yurin nodded in agreement.
"Yeah. Better to claim a good spot first."
The moms said they were here to watch us anyway, so unless it was one of our events, they weren't that interested.
With everyone on the same page, we set off to find a place to spread our mats.
I'd never properly explored the vast school grounds before, so I had no clue, but the girls chattered away, debating if here was good or there was better.
They didn't seem to wander much usually, but what shocked me most was even Seong Yurin joining the debate.
In the end, they settled on a spot I knew too.
"Won't it be crowded here?"
It was the park-like area in front of the cafeteria building we usually went to.
Definitely a great spot if it wasn't packed, but since everyone knew about it, I worried others might have beaten us to it.
"Let's check it out first. If it's too full, we can go somewhere else."
"Don't wander too much. It's not just us, you know."
I muttered softly, but the moms behind us apparently heard.
"Oh, we're fine, Jina."
"Exactly. I've even been exercising at home lately~"
"...Yeah, but still, too much walking will tire everyone out. Sea, Soyun too. And me."
Lee Soyun giggled at my words.
"You're such a worrywart."
No... I'm just mentally drained, it's not that bad.
We walked to the cafeteria.
Being near the center of the school grounds, it didn't take as long as expected.
"Yep, people have already staked out spots."
"Yeah, but it doesn't look full."
Hong Yeonseo and Seong Yurin took the lead, scouting for a good place.
Hong Yeonseo actively greeted familiar faces here and there, while Seong Yurin just scanned with her eyes, zeroing in on targets...
It hit me anew: these two really were polar opposites in personality and looks.
As I followed them, my phone rang.
"Hm? Oh."
Seeing the name on the screen, I answered and held it to my ear.
"Yes, Mom."
The eyes of Lee Sea and Lee Soyun, walking beside me, lit up and turned my way.
[Yeah, my son~ We're almost there. Where should we go?]
"I'll come pick you up. You're at the school gate, right?"
[Got it! Mom'll stay right here!]
"...Be there soon."
Click.
I pocketed the hung-up phone.
"W-was that your mom?"
Lee Sea asked after I ended the call.
"Yeah. Be right back."
"Ah, o-okay."
I stopped and turned back, explaining the situation to the two puzzled moms before heading to the gate.
Matches were wrapping up, so crowds were building on the paths.
Better hurry. I quickened my pace.
Morning had only seen a few stalls outside the school gate, but now, with space short, vendors had set up inside too.
Weaving through the throngs, I searched for Mom.
"Jina~"
A familiar voice drew my gaze—there was Mom.
"Whoa... why'd you bring so much?"
I approached her, arms full of what looked like food, and took the load.
"Hehe. It's crowded, you know."
"Still... Wait, yeah, actually. There's this one kid who eats a ton."
Thinking of Hong Yeonseo's appetite, I'd figured the food from Lee Sea and Lee Soyun's moms wouldn't cut it, so we'd grab more from the cafeteria or street stalls. This actually worked out perfectly.
"But it's heavy. You should've given it to me this morning."
"Silly. I was making it from morning till now—how could I give it to you then?"
Wait, this wasn't leftovers from yesterday?
"...Didn't you say you had work?"
"Yep. Work."
Guess her 'busy work' was cooking.
"Anyway, let's go. It'll get harder to push through if more people come. Stick close behind me."
"I'll stick right to my son!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ We broke through the crowd to the park just as the announcement declared the morning events over and lunchtime begun.
Just a quick round trip to the gate, but it had taken a while.
Wonder where they are... Should be an eye-catching group.
"Isn't that Sea over there?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, it is."
Mom spotted Lee Sea first—from a different direction than I'd been looking.
The mom most familiar with Lee Sea beamed as she found her.
"Oh my. Those two must be the new high school friends you made."
Spotting Hong Yeonseo and Seong Yurin sitting with the group, Mom clapped in delight.
"Soyun looks just the same as last time. Hehe."
"...Haha. Please tell her she's grown a lot."
"Don't worry! Just trust this mom."
Mom acted so young and playful—it worried me sometimes.
Well, even so, two of them were meeting her for the first time. Should be fine.
As we approached, they noticed us and the group got lively.
Lee Sea and Lee Soyun jumped up and rushed over, while Hong Yeonseo and Seong Yurin stood awkwardly to greet us. Finally, the moms exchanged knowing glances as old friends.
"H-hi, ma'am!"
"Hellooo..."
"Hey~ Sea, it's been a while? Soyun too!"
The two familiar ones managed smooth greetings, while the new pair shuffled forward shyly.
"N-nice to meet you."
"I'm Seong Yurin..."
"I'm Hong Yeonseo!"
"Hey~ Nice to meet you. I'm Jina's mom~"
Lee Sea and Lee Soyun darted to my side and grabbed the bags from my hands.
"H-heavy."
It was just a few steps away...
Lee Soyun huffed as she hauled the bags to the mat.
Yeah, it had felt suspiciously heavy earlier—her reaction confirmed it.
...And Mom had carried it in both hands.
Made me think my sturdy build was genetic after all.
After quick hellos, we moved to the mats and sat.
It was noisy with all the people around, but on a day like this, that lively vibe felt right.
Everyone settled in a circle, prepping lunch.
The moms, being close friends, chatted and laughed like it had been ages.
Hong Yeonseo let out a sigh, face flushed beet red, and whispered softly.
"Phew... phew. I didn't seem weird, right?"
"What's weird about it? It was just hellos."
Beside her, Seong Yurin pressed a hand to her chest to calm her racing heart and said to me,
"Your mom... I mean, ma'am... she's super youthful. I thought she was your older sister at first."
"...She'd love hearing that."
And so, under the moms' warm gazes, lunchtime began.