Episode 120. Blossoming Festival (2)
Two hours before the Blossoming Festival—a joint cultural event hosted by Pulkkot High School and Pullyip Middle School—was set to begin. Starting at 6 a.m., the school was already buzzing with students. Despite the chilly morning breeze, there wasn't a hint of sluggishness; everyone was hustling with festival preparations.
"Festival committee members, take care of things for the next three days!"
The guidance teacher's crisp voice echoed through the auditorium. The middle and high school disciplinary committees, student council, and festival committee members were gathered in Pullyip Middle School's auditorium. This place would serve as the festival committee headquarters for the next three days. Pulkkot High School's auditorium was reserved for the stage events on the second day of the festival.
"I hope you all maintain discipline without slacking off just because it's a festival or getting swept up in the atmosphere and ruining the school spirit."
"Yes, sir!!"
After the guidance teacher's reminder, we received our schedules. The student council president stepped up to the podium.
"Please arrive on time according to the duty roster that was just handed out. Be considerate of the person before you and don't be late."
The festival committee worked in shifts. Six committee members took turns staying in the auditorium to handle complaints. If we assigned fixed people to complaints, they'd be stuck in the auditorium the entire festival without stepping out. Everyone else helped the disciplinary committee as staff—guiding visitors from outside or enforcing school spirit.
"There's a regular assembly at 2 p.m. We'll also call emergency assemblies if needed, so make sure your group chat notifications are on!"
After that, they announced break times for the festival committee and disciplinary members, wrapping up the pre-training.
"Oppa, stick with me even during breaks!"
Eunbi, who had glued herself to my side, said with eyes full of expectation...
"Ah, sorry. I've got plans."
I stepped a foot away from her as I replied. I'd noticed it lately, but it felt like Eunbi was developing feelings for me.
"I promised to meet a friend during break."
"Oh... I, I see..."
Actually, it wasn't just meeting a regular friend—it was a secret meetup with Cho Yuli. As I put some distance between us, Eunbi, who had looked a bit dejected, shook her head. She took a step closer again, as if closing the gap.
"Then come with that friend too!"
"No, you get super shy around strangers."
"If it's oppas friend, it'd be fine! Can't I?"
She pleaded with sparkling eyes. She seemed extra clingy today... I knew she had a crush, but was it this bad? I couldn't bring her to meet Yuli, obviously. I was about to refuse flat-out.
"Is it because it's a girl?"
"Huh?"
"It's not Lee Yuyeong sunbae... So who is it?"
The atmosphere suddenly chilled. It wasn't just from Eunbi—the energy came from her alone, but Seong Juyeon and Choi Gahee were staring at me too. The cold glares from all three at the mention that it wasn't Yuyeong... Okay, fine for the others, but why Juyeon?
"N-no, it's just that she's really shy."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, if I brought someone else, she'd get mad at me."
The mood softened once I said it wasn't a girl.
"If oppa leaves me... I'll be all alone again..."
"Mm... Sorry. But we're on the same staff team, right?"
I felt bad for her. It was true she didn't have other friends around. If I didn't hang out with her, she'd wander alone during breaks.
"Well, instead..."
I glanced around, whispering when the guidance teacher wasn't listening.
"When we're patrolling as staff later, I'll buy you something tasty."
Even staff were students, so they sneaked festival treats while working. The student council and teachers turned a blind eye tacitly. Crack down too hard, and resentment would build.
"Heehee, got it. I'll let it slide this time!"
My offer worked—Eunbi's face melted into a grin. Does she like food that much?
Phew~ Anyway, that should keep her from following me later.
It was unavoidable. I knew showing Eunbi more favor was risky, but my safety came first. If she spotted me meeting Yuli and said something like, "Huh? Why's Oppa Taeyang wearing a doll costume secretly?" it'd be a disaster.
"I'm already excited. Thinking about wandering the festival with oppa."
"We're working as staff, remember."
"Ahaha, right."
For the record, Eunbi and I were paired up. Staff patrolled in two-person teams, and partners were chosen freely. "Freely" basically meant loners got left to fend for themselves. Since I was the only one close to Eunbi, I naturally got assigned. The vibe around us flowed like it was obvious, and some even mistook us for a couple.
I didn't care about rumors, but one person did.
"Taeyang! Hang with us noonas!"
At Choi Gahee's words, the other guys who'd been about to butt in hesitated. Ignoring them, she strode right up to me. We'd clearly cut ties last time—hadn't she given up yet?
"Sunbae. It's two per team."
Plus, the committee assigned patrol routes. Otherwise, staff would flock to popular spots to enjoy the festival themselves. They balanced it out, or so I'd heard.
"Looks like our routes match."
"What?"
Gahee's partner, Seong Juyeon, came over and unfolded a map. It was true. They'd set a few routes and assigned randomly, but we got the same one?
"Let's go together? Yeah?"
"What's wrong with that? I wanna get along with Eunbi too."
Juyeon approached Eunbi. Coming on that strong would backfire. See, Eunbi's gripping my arm and hiding behind me. Her face looked more hostile than scared...
"Eunbi. Calm down. She's not a bad noona."
"Whoa, that's harsh."
I looked around. Sure enough, not just the guys—girls too wanted to team with Gahee and Juyeon.
"But if staff clump up instead of spreading out, it's inefficient."
Whether guiding or enforcing, too many on a two-person job left other areas empty.
"Hm... Yeah, makes sense."
Juyeon accepted coolly, but Gahee looked disappointed.
"Ah, Gahee, let's go for now."
It was time to move. We couldn't chat forever.
Juyeon dragged Gahee away. Why was Gahee acting like this again? I'd thought our hallway talk wrapped things up. I'd kept distance since, assuming she'd quit.
"Oppa, we should head out too. To the parking lot."
"Yeah."
No time to dwell. Once the festival started, we'd handle entry control first. Plenty of cars were probably arriving already. Who drives to a school festival? Surprisingly, lots of parents did.
"Please enter carefully."
It was shaping up to be a hectic day all around.
After sorting the cars and catching a breather, we handed the lot to security and teachers, moving to our duties. Following the set route...
"Oppa! Buy this for me!"
"Huh? Already?"
"You promised~"
"Fine."
Gotta keep promises. In exchange, no whining during break.
"Ah, I want a hot dog too. This looks yummy..."
"Eunbi, you skip breakfast?"
"Yeah, I suck at waking up early..."
Makes sense—school at 6 a.m.
"Then I'll get more."
"Really?"
"Yeah, but not too much."
From the start point, we grabbed skewers and snacks—barely "working." If a teacher caught us? Nah, probably not. It was all for eating and living, right? Rationalizing as we went, a familiar silhouette caught my eye.
Tanned skin, brown short crop, usual gym clothes—Min Iri heading this way with junior girls around her. Still popular with the ladies.
"Hey, Kim Taeyang."
I tried slipping past without bothering her. Until she spotted me.
She excused herself from the juniors and came over.
"Iri noona..."
"Oppa knows her... Iri?"
Eunbi started to ask me but trailed off, eyes shifting.
"That person..."
"Huh?"
"Ah, no, I thought that sunbae called oppa."
"Yeah."
Iri noona approached smiling, but her face hardened. Her eyes flicked sideways...
"Kim Taeyang, who's the one next to you?"
"Teammate junior. Say hi—she's an acquaintance."
"Ah, hello. I'm Kang Eunbi."
"Yeah, Min Iri."
Both smiling, but it didn't feel like smiles. Then... was there a staring contest? Eunbi bowed her head first, like she'd lost.
"This guy Kim Taeyang, hanging with another girl?"
Iri noona grinned mischievously, but her eyes weren't smiling. Her voice held a grudge, eyes still cloudy.
"We're working together."
"Right, right. Figured as much."
Iri noona nodded like she got it, ruffling my hair.
"Taeyang wouldn't ditch noona for other thoughts."
"Wha! What're you saying?"
She wasn't jumping to marriage over our last promise, right?
"Oppa..."
"Yeah?"
Why're you looking at me like that, Eunbi?
".........Oppa?"
And why're you going full yandere eyes after hearing that, Min Iri? Chills down my spine.
"Ah, no. Just... oppa looked tired, so I asked."
Eunbi covered.
"Looked like you were trapped or something."
"M-me?"
As I wondered what she meant, Iri chimed in.
"Yeah, well... you are kinda caught right now."
Glancing at Eunbi's arm slyly looped around mine.
"Ah, she's super shy, clings when talking to strangers."
"........."
Why the shivers?