School Trip (4)
“Aigoo! Seriously!! Just help me get together with Seonwoo!”
“You catch on quick, huh.”
Quick on the uptake, my ass… That mischievous smile was exactly the face she made when she was up to no good.
At first, I thought Seong Juyeon had pulled me aside to lecture me or something. Like, warning me that following people around was basically stalking. But the shady grin on her face as she held up her phone told a different story.
Yeah, she had some ulterior motive, alright.
“Whatever. So, who’d you tell about this?”
First things first: get the full situation report. In the worst case, I’d need a solid excuse ready.
“Haven’t told anyone yet.”
“Good.”
Makes sense—none of the noonas had said a word to me about it.
“What about Yuli noona?”
“I told Haya that he’s her little brother, at least. Played it off like it was a wrong number.”
So she disguised it as a coincidence, and they bought it. I let out a sigh of relief. Dodged a bullet there—things could’ve gotten messy.
“In exchange for helping, you’ll keep it secret, right?”
“If you really help me get with Seonwoo.”
Seong Juyeon said with a grin.
“Day 1’s a bust, so I’ll expect results on Day 2. You’ll be hanging around together anyway, right?”
In other words, during free time, make sure Seonwoo and I get some alone time. Since she’s tight with the noonas, she wanted me to drag the others away. Oh, and Cho Yuli too, while we’re at it.
I nodded and accepted the deal.
Time to tweak the plan. I’d been planning to just monitor Yuli’s status for now, but I’d have to step in more actively.
“While you’re at it, why not get closer to Yuli yourself? No more creepy lurking from the shadows.”
“What?”
What the hell was this nonsense?
Seong Juyeon had jumped to the wrong conclusion again.
“You’re into her, right? That’s why you secretly sent her the gift?”
“Not even a little.”
Guess I’d have to fabricate a story about a friend who’s into Yuli asking for help.
“Whatever. The girls all say you’re a good guy—don’t go disappointing them for no reason.”
This time, it was genuine advice.
Just now, Gahee noona and Yuyeong had defended me, saying I was innocent and never hit on girls inappropriately. If they found out I was pulling shady shit behind their backs, they’d be crushed.
Maybe I should do it? Nah.
I wasn’t an idiot. Why risk getting stuck with a menhera girl just to tank someone else’s affection?
Point is, I had zero intention of getting close to Yuli.
“I’ll be waiting.”
“Yeah. Hey, noona—wanna head out somewhere with me for a sec?”
“Where to?”
Seong Juyeon tilted her head at my sudden suggestion.
Hope we weren’t too late. Chatting with her had eaten up time.
“I think I saw Seonwoo hyung earlier.”
At that, Seong Juyeon shoved my back, urging me to hurry.
Well, if the flag was already raised, nothing I could do about it. Her self-inflicted mess.
If I hadn’t butted in, I would’ve blocked Yuli’s flag for her.
No big expectations, though. Inside the jellyfish hall, there they were: Seonwoo and Yuli, staring right at each other.
“Why’re you staring like that?”
“Uh…”
What? Perfect timing?
It was almost like Seong Juyeon had timed it on purpose—cutting it that close.
“Seonwoo hyung!!!”
“Huh?”
I waved cheerfully and jogged over with a big smile.
Seonwoo looked startled, and Yuli whipped around, then darted behind him in terror.
Good—she was at the reliance stage, at least.
“The noonas were looking for you. Here you are.”
“Oh, did I keep you waiting long?”
“You really did. Say something before you wander off. You okay, Yuli?”
Seong Juyeon crossed her arms, feigning concern she didn’t feel.
“Yeah, I’m feeling better. Just taking a breather somewhere quiet.”
I could picture what happened. Famous aquarium, tons of people—Yuli must’ve freaked. Seonwoo brought her somewhere secluded, then belatedly texted the group.
“Now that you’re good, let’s go.”
I stood next to Seonwoo as I said it to Seong Juyeon. Our eyes met as I passed; he smirked like, Not bad, huh?
Don’t mention it, I nodded back.
Contract signed, first service delivered.
“……Who’s that?”
Yuli whispered to Seonwoo, clutching his sleeve.
“Oh, Haya’s little brother.”
“Hi. I’m Kim Hayan’s little brother… Kim Taeyang.”
I hesitated a second, but since Yuli already knew, I just gave my name.
Sure enough, her eyes widened in surprise when she heard it.
“Ah… yeah, hi…”
I ignored her stammering and called Haya noona right away.
“Yeah, noona, where are you guys?”
Luckily, after that, Seonwoo stuck close to Seong Juyeon in the aquarium, and Yuli didn’t talk to me.
Yuyeong, Gahee, and Iri noona kept nagging to take pictures, which was annoying, but we got through it unscathed.
For the record, I subtly shifted every time to ruin the shots. Affection levels—please drop already.
But Lee Yuyeong and Choi Gahee hadn’t budged.
————
That evening back at the dorm, amid the excited chatter, I quietly sank into thought.
I wanted to have fun, but first, I needed to run a full simulation.
Tomorrow was Day 2 free time. Or, in other words, the day Seonwoo’s heroine events kicked off.
Let’s break it down.
Min Iri wasn’t a heroine, so exclude her. Lee Yuyeong and Choi Gahee were obsessed with me, so exclude them too.
Heroines who could trigger: Kim Hayan, Seong Juyeon, Cho Yuli. Those three.
If I could lock down Kim Hayan and Cho Yuli… Haya was easy—keep her glued to my side. Yuli was the problem.
I couldn’t babysit her myself, so the noonas needed to handle it.
But Yuli would stick to Seonwoo like glue… Ugh, no clear solution yet.
Bouncing ideas off Seong Juyeon? She’d just say, “What’s wrong with getting close to Yuli?”
Guess I’d have to strategize solo.
“Hey, Kim Taeyang!”
“Yeah? What?”
“We’re heading to the girls’ room—wanna come?”
“Nah, I’ll chill here.”
Typical dating sim world, huh? The teachers had just warned against going to the opposite sex’s rooms, and here they were.
“Yuyeong’s there too.”
Made me want to go even less. Become gossip fodder? No thanks.
“Have fun.”
I flopped onto the floor.
“Boring guy.”
“Guess he’s already got a girl he’s flirting with.”
“Hey, leave him be. He’s just saving up for alone time with Yuyeong later.”
They were crossing the line. I sat up, unable to hold back.
“Yuyeong and I aren’t—”
Not nothing, but we’d kept our distance. I rephrased.
“We’re just friends.”
Not an excuse—a straight fact. But they started snickering.
They didn’t believe me?
“Sure, we believe you.”
“Gotta believe it. Even after that dodgeball catfight between Eunju and Yuyeong that everyone saw.”
“Eunju won dodgeball, then left, and Yuyeong latched onto you—but we believe you.”
“You ditched us the whole trip to stick with her—but we believe you. Sure~”
“Ask Yuyeong and she just giggles without answering—but yours is the truth, right?”
“Brother-in-law~ I really believe you~”
One idiot spouted bullshit while the rest subtly mocked me.
These punks… We’d agreed to hang out, but now that I bailed, they were doing this on purpose?
“Yuyeong’s pretty cute, though, right?”
“I’d kinda enjoy the misunderstanding if it were me.”
Then you date her. So casual when it’s not your life on the line.
Mine was precious.
“Jealous~ I want a girlfriend~ Cute girlfriend~”
“Hey, let’s hit the girls’ room.”
Topic shifted to raiding the girls’ room in seconds.
Unfair, but kicking up a fuss now would just bait them more. Better to lie back down.
“What if the teachers come?”
“I’ll text you guys and tell the teachers I’m off meeting kids from another class.”
“Thanks.”
Dunno if it’d work.
The room emptied, silence fell. Perfect time to think lying down.
But my heavy eyelids and weary body had other plans—I dozed off.
————
“Taeyang. Taeyang.”
Someone shaking me awake. I cracked my eyes groggily.
“Noona, alarm hasn’t gone off yet…”
Habit from home mornings. Then it hit me. Right—school trip dorm.
Room was quiet. Guys hadn’t come back.
I turned to whoever woke me.
“You look beat.”
“……”
“Sleep more?”
Lee Yuyeong smiled awkwardly, apologetic.
Why the hell was she here?
I sat up, scanning the room. Empty. Good—no misunderstandings from witnesses.
Who’d respect a guy who pretended not to care about girls’ rooms but snuck one back solo?
Situation clear, I asked her.
“Wanna head out?”
“Yeah!”
She nodded, beaming. Probably thrilled I wasn’t rejecting her. But I was just neutralizing a risk.
I fixed my clothes, checked the hall first—kids running, murmuring. No teachers yet.
But the noise meant they’d show soon.
Timing it when no eyes were on us, I cracked the door and beckoned her out.
Yuyeong giggled at my urgency, strolling over.
“Hurry!”
She slipped out; I shut the door, scanned again.
“You’re so antsy.”
“Whose fault is that?”
“Sorry.”
She got serious, smile fading.
We slipped to a low-suspicion spot during a clear gap. Central outdoor terrace?
Opened the door—smoke everywhere.
“Huh?”
“…Finish your smoke.”
Shut it. Teachers would bust them soon anyway. Not my problem.
Hope the smoke didn’t stick.
Detoured to the wide first-floor lounge instead. Should be fine for a chat.
Few students down there. As long as we didn’t leave without permission.
Sat in chairs, eyed her.
“You can’t just barge into the boys’ room.”
“I know… sorry.”
She started to explain, then apologized. Realized the risk to me, huh.
“The boys came back suddenly and it got boring… I was just bored.”
“Still, coming alone is… There are others; it’s awkward.”
“They said you’d be alone.”
Those bastards egged her on with the girls, no doubt.
Yuyeong fidgeted, gauging my mood.
“Teachers said no wandering into opposite-sex dorms.”
“Everyone ignores that and roams anyway.”
“Doesn’t make being alone with a guy in his room safe. Even if we’re innocent, people will talk bad.”
She stared, blinking slowly.
“…Geum Taeyang, but your mind’s surprisingly pure.”
“Yuyeong…”
That again.
“Ah, sorry. Hehe. Couldn’t help but admire. Yeah, you’re right.”
“Judging me by looks? I’m disappointed.”
“Ack! I don’t judge by looks!”
“Then who was calling me Geum Taeyang and trying to split me from Gahee noona?”
“Ugh… Sorry about that.”
“Whatever.”
Hashing out the past was pointless.
I glanced at the lounge. Bright lights, kids chatting in groups. After lights-out, teachers might overlook mixed talks here. Better than the hall.
“Speaking of which, Taeyang.”
“Yeah?”
I glanced back; she looked uneasy, hesitating.
What was this about?
“You and… that Gahee unnie. What’s the deal?”
“Huh? She’s just noona’s friend.”
That’s it? Iri noona always teased like that, but Gahee noona had been extra attentive lately.
Could pass as getting closer, but once suspicion hits, you notice everything.
Gahee defending me, inching toward my side, reaching then hesitating—it was obvious.
And praising the ruined aquarium pics: “Cute, Taeyang!”
“Really just that?”
“Yeah. You, Gahee noona—you’re both just my friends.”
Drew the line. Don’t look relieved, Yuyeong. You’re included.
“Well, that’s good enough for now.”
“Good enough for what?”
“We can keep being close from now on.”
For that, I’d given Haya noona one last chance?
Couldn’t read Yuyeong’s head. Was she really backing off?
Thought about probing, then dropped it. Didn’t want a long, heavy talk souring things.
Anyway, my gaze wandered naturally, cutting the convo short.
“Taeyang?”
“Why’s Yuli noona over there…”
“Huh?”
Yuyeong turned too.
And there she was: Cho Yuli, sitting alone on a bench in front of the middle schoolers’ dorm, crying quietly in secret.