Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Midterms - 2
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"Alright, everyone, hands off your test papers. Pass them back from the rear."
The hellish midterms were finally over.
Some were still glued to their papers, staring at them like they couldn't let go.
Others leaned back in their chairs, looking relieved as if they'd given it their all.
And then there were those who no exam could keep from sleeping—they were just waking up now, looking disheveled.
"Ah, slept like a baby. Exams really are the best."
The lunatic came over to me, spouting his usual nonsense.
"Must be nice, having that mindset."
"Want it?"
"Beat it—I don't want it."
I brushed past Yoon Dohyun, who was talking scary nonsense, and headed to Seo Jinhyuk's desk where the kids were swarming.
"Jinhyuk, what was number 8?"
"Jackpot! I went with 3 and nailed it—yes!"
"Hey, keep it down! I can't hear anything!"
"Fuck, three 3's in a row had me paranoid, so I switched to 2 and fucked up! Come on, shouldn't they avoid repeats like that?!"
"Yeah, that's your skill level~"
From kids jumping for joy to ones freaking out everywhere, the chaos around Jinhyuk's desk was in full swing, each reacting in their own way.
...I get it.
I slipped in among them and peeked at Jinhyuk's paper to compare answers.
Oh...! Yes...!
The last question had me second-guessing, but I'd guessed the same as Jinhyuk, so I clenched my fist tight.
"What, mess up? Gonna beat up Seo Jinhyuk?"
"...What the hell? I'm just pumped."
"Thought so. You had that evil grin while clenching your fist—figured someone was in for it."
"...Evil grin?"
I wondered how Yoon Dohyun saw me to come up with that crap, but I was in too good a mood to care.
[Seo Yerim] -Yerin, how'd the exam go? -Yeah, think I did well. You? -Phew, maybe even shooting for a "2nd grade"? -!! Wow, good job, Oppa. (Happy cat emoticon)
Heh heh. Heh heh heh heh.
Someone might say what’s so great about a 2nd grade when Yerin was obviously getting 1st grade as usual.
But for a guy like me who bounced between 3rd and 5th grades, hitting 2nd grade was world-shaking news—way bigger than Yerin's usual perfect score.
Heck, it was even written on the Goguryeo Watermelon Sword, and I saw it clear as day with my own eyes.
-You did great too. I'll head to your class.
Exams done, scores looking good. Even Mom couldn't stop me today.
"Hey, Seo Jinhyuk. Let's go. Looks like Yerim and Han Sea are done too."
"What, we're all hanging out today?"
"...No idea. Guess we'll see."
Jinhyuk asked like it was out of the blue, and honestly, I had nothing to say.
We didn't have the say on whether we'd all hang together or split up—we'd find out when we got there.
"You traitors. Ditching me?"
"Go hang with your girlfriend."
"Their exams go till tomorrow."
That explained it. He'd never complained about us going off alone before.
"Then come with?"
"...Nah."
"Why?"
"...Seo Jinhyuk's little sister is kinda scary."
"Yerin?"
I stared at Yoon Dohyun. How could someone so cute and pretty that you could stare at her all day be scary? She was way scarier than him by hundreds of times—what nonsense was this?
"Look at this punk's murderous glare. Wipe that 'I heard something I shouldn't have' face. You don't get it."
"You're the one talking bullshit. You haven't even talked to Yerin, have you?"
"I chatted with her a few times when she came looking for you... Wait, was it really chatting? Anyway. I'll just hit the PC bang with the others."
I wondered what they'd even said for this shameless guy to react like that, but honestly, it was a relief.
I'd only mentioned it casually since inviting him felt awkward, but if he'd actually come...
I could already picture the icy stares from Yerin and Han Sea.
Whew. Close call.
Heading to Yerin's classroom with Jinhyuk, we saw the two of them chatting alone in the empty room—everyone else had already left.
...They make a nice picture.
Watching them talk cozily together felt like a painting. Though Yerin was doing a 9:1 hard carry, of course.
"Ah, Oppa!"
"Oppa, you're here...?"
"Yeah, kept you waiting? Let's go."
"The Oppas have arrived~."
Yerin and Han Sea grabbed their bags and stood when they saw us. Naturally, Han Sea and Jinhyuk took the front, with Yerin and me following behind.
It was a familiar sight by now.
Those two strode ahead, while we preferred walking slower, chatting as we went.
"Yerin, all four of us today?"
"Yeah, that's the plan. We're hanging out alone this weekend anyway..."
"...You asked the person involved? Felt like she was hearing it for the first time."
"She said it's fine..."
"...Really?"
"Yeah, I heard her..."
I never said that.
But looking at Yerin beaming up at me like I'd said something wrong, it kinda felt like I had.
"The person involved heard it clearly."
"Hee, right...?"
"Oh yeah, ever talked to Yoon Dohyun?"
"That friend of Oppa's...?"
"Yeah. He said something ridiculous about you being scary."
"......He said that?"
"Not Oppa—that guy...?"
"......He said that, Oppa?"
Dohyun, sorry...
"...Yeah. Wondered if something happened."
"Nothing like that... Just..."
"Just...?"
"You said it, Oppa... He dated seven girlfriends."
"Did I...?"
"What if he influences you..."
Yerin trailed off, glancing at me like she wasn't sure if she should say it.
Probably felt like gossiping about my friend.
But I got what she was worried about—why she didn't want to get close to Yoon Dohyun.
"Worried I'll pick up his habits?"
"......"
Seeing her nod quietly made me chuckle without thinking.
"Why are you laughing...?"
"Just... you're worrying over nothing."
And you're so cute worrying like that. So lovable.
I couldn't stop smiling.
"Don't worry. Won't happen."
"...Yeah, I know."
"Dohyun just hasn't met his fated one yet."
Even so, seven seemed like a lot, but yeah.
He's still my friend...!
"What about you, Oppa...?"
"Hm?"
"Have you met yours...?"
You know the answer.
But with those expectant pink eyes gazing up, wanting to hear it from me...
I had to live up to it.
"...Yeah. Ongoing."
"Hee, good..."
Yerin smiled, satisfied with my answer.
And I smiled back at her.
"Wasn't that answer totally 2nd-grade level?"
"Just hit 1st grade and you're set..."
"It's been one day since 2nd grade—that's a bit much."
We chatted away like that, the four of us wandering around various spots.
Making up for the fun we'd missed during exam week, we played harder and with more gusto than usual.
After a satisfying day, we dragged our tired bodies home and crashed into bed.
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Bzzz.
......?
The faint moonlight seeping through the curtains was the only light in the darkened room.
In the pitch-black space where I couldn't tell the time, my phone lit up, begging for attention.
"Ugh, nearly blinded me..."
Half-asleep, I reached out, grabbed it, and squinted at the glaring screen.
When my eyes finally adjusted, [Seo Yerim] was on the display.
What...? It's 4 a.m.? A dream?
Worried something was up, I picked up.
"...Hello?"
My groggy voice got no reply—just a faint, trembling breath from the other end.
"...Yerin?"
Calling again brought a response.
"Oppa. Sorry... for the late... hour......"
Sleep vanished instantly.
Her voice always woke me up, but this was different.
She was trying to act fine, but...
The voice in my ear was soaked, like a drowned child's.
...Were you crying? Why? What's wrong? Who hurt you? Why won't you tell me?
Questions piled up in my swirling head, but her ragged breaths over the line made it impossible to ask.
I took a deep breath and spoke slowly, hoping to calm her even a little.
"...What's going on?"
No answer, but it was enough.
The quiet sniffles filled the silent room.
My chest ached.
What could have happened to you, who smiled so brightly all day?
Thinking of you alone in this black darkness, unable to sleep, reaching for me—it hurt.
"Oppa..."
"Yeah."
"Hic, Oppa..."
"...Yeah, Yerin."
"Hng, Oppaaa..."
I just hoped the wetness in your voice would dry up a bit.
Over and over, I answered your desperate, tearful calls.
"Sorry... I just... wanted to hear your voice..."
Just that was reason enough for you to call.
"Perfect. I wanted to hear yours too."
"Hic, sorry..."
"No idea what you're sorry for, but it's fine. For real."
Was it waking me this late? Or something else?
I hoped it was the former.
Silence followed those words.
Her sobs eased a little—she seemed calmer.
Now just soft sniffles proved the line was still connected.
"Oppa, you sleeping...?"
"Nah, not yet. Waiting to sleep with you."
"What if I don't...?"
"Then neither do I."
"Tch, dummy..."
Her soft laugh came out stuffy, laced with tears—not her usual smooth voice.
Even now, her cuteness made me want to hug her right away, and I felt ridiculous for it.
"Oppa, you there...?"
"...Yeah, right here."
She kept checking, like she was afraid I'd vanish.
Why so anxious?
"Thanks, Oppa..."
After that, only soft, hitching breaths reached my ear.
I waited quietly so as not to wake her. Her breathing steadied, signaling she was out, so I hung up.
Mountains of questions burned to be asked.
But for now, I just hoped you'd sleep peacefully.
And that someday, you'd tell me everything.
With that, I drifted off.