School Life is Fucking Spectacular # 13
School Life is Fucking Spectacular # 13
So, I hung out in my room eating chicken with Si-hoo. Just ate chicken, messed around on the computer a bit, and talked while lounging around.
"Hey, so you came up from the countryside, Si-hoo?"
"Yeah. I'll probably have to go back down during break."
"Oh yeah? Well, going home for break is pretty standard."
From what he said, Si-hoo had come up from a rural area. It made sense—the dorms here are well set up, so he could get by without any problems.
That aside, I was kind of curious.
What the hell kind of family does this Si-hoo guy come from to be so used to combat? I saw him in the training ground, and his swordsmanship looked solid, and he seemed to handle mana freely.
But earlier, he seemed like he was trying to dodge the question, so I didn't feel right asking again. Is he maybe from some prestigious Awakened family? I heard there are Awakened clans in this world. Leona too, for that matter.
Whatever, I'll find out someday.
"What about you, Geun-cheol?"
"Me? Well."
For starters, I'm listed as being from an orphanage.
No parents. No siblings.
A total red-tag orphan.
So because I enrolled in the academy with an orphanage background, I can keep using my dorm room until I graduate or quit school.
The welfare setup is pretty decent.
It feels like they provide assistance so that anyone can become a proper hero as long as they've Awakened, even if they're a total orphan.
Still, the monthly stipend being only 500,000 won is honestly a goddamn rip-off, isn't it? Please, up the amount a little. I want to go hit a buffet and pig out, too. What am I supposed to do with 500,000 won? Because of you bastards, I'm living off Don-gapnaegi.
But they say stuff like uniforms and textbooks is subsidized. So as long as I'm frugal, I'm fine. Food, clothing, and shelter are all guaranteed.
"I'm from an orphanage. So I'll just stay here during break, too."
"Huh?"
I said it casually.
"Uh? Huh?"
Si-hoo froze for a moment.
It's a sensitive topic.
"Wh-Whaaaaaat?!"
—Bolting upright!
But he was so surprised he jumped to his feet and even shouted. It's not that big of a deal, really.
"W-Wait! Geun-cheol! I-I'm sorry! For asking something so insensitive! I didn't mean to...!"
"No. I'm fine, so sit down. It's nothing. No big deal."
"Even so!"
The guy acts totally freaked out. He went completely pale, convinced he'd made a huge blunder.
"I said it's fine."
But no kidding, it's truly nothing.
Because I'm not actually an orphan. I just ended up an orphan because I got pulled into this bizarre world. My mom and dad are probably doing fine.
"..."
Though, I doubt they're doing fine with their son gone missing.
"Ah...!"
While I was thinking about my parents for a moment, Si-hoo came and sat beside me.
"Geun-cheol. I'm sorry. For asking something so pointless. I didn't know it was like that."
"Well, I never told you, so how would you know? I said it's fine."
"But that face you just made...!"
"Just now?"
"N-No! Geun-cheol! If things are tough, tell me anytime! I'll help with whatever I can!"
Si-hoo was apologizing excessively and gave me words of comfort.
There are people like that. People who get more shocked than the person they offended and keep saying sorry, not knowing what to do.
Si-hoo was exactly that type. Anyway, I really was fine, but it felt like if I said more, things would get annoying, so I decided to just let it slide.
"Heh heh heh, yeah. If you're offering help, I'll take it. Thanks."
"Okay!"
Now his face finally brightens a bit.
The kid's personality is just way too nice.
"A-Anyway!"
"Hm?"
"Being here eating chicken with you in your room like this, it's fun! Next time, it's my treat! Let's eat together again!"
"If you're treating, I'm definitely in."
There's no man who refuses free chicken.
"Hey. But isn't it a bit much if I'm getting training help and free chicken on top of it?"
"It's fine. We're friends. What's the point of being friends otherwise?"
"Heh heh heh, this guy. He knows what's up. Yeah! What's the point of being friends otherwise!"
I can just help out too, whenever I can.
"Right. So if things are tough, tell me anytime, Geun-cheol."
"I don't really have anything, but if something comes up, I'll come tell you."
Spent some time messing around with Si-hoo like that in his room, then went back to my own.
"Ugh, I'm beat."
Is it because the mana training was kind of intense today? I'm dead tired. Gotta wash up fast and sleep. Ah, I wanted to go wash up in the bathhouse on the top floor, but I'm so tired I just can't do it.
I'll just wash up in my room.
No, but seriously, why does Si-hoo hate it so much when I suggest going to the bathhouse? I fucking love the bathhouse. I absolutely have to drag him there next time.
* * *
The next morning.
"Hey. Si-hoo."
I knocked on Si-hoo's door to walk to school together, but he didn't answer. What the hell? Did this guy wake up early and go to school first? I sent him a text right away, but the '1' didn't disappear.
Guess he went ahead.
So I went to school by myself.
"Ah, I'm tired."
"What's first period?"
"Listen. I went to the training ground yesterday, and..."
Mornings really are mornings.
Even if they're all Awakened, high schoolers are still high schoolers. Students, all looking exhausted, were chattering among themselves and trudging into the school.
A truly heartwarming scene.
Feeling that, I opened the classroom door.
—Slide.
"Whoa! Hey! Scream Man is here!"
"Ken?"
The moment I walked in, Ken greeted me enthusiastically.
"No, but seriously, what's with that 'Scream Man' crap? Hey. How long are you gonna call me that? Huh? How would you like it if I called you Brown-Haired Glasses Man?"
MapleStory mop-head bastard.
"Since it's not an impressive nickname at all, I don't think I'd care. Because it lacks creativity. Anyway. My prophecy states you will scream again today, Scream Man."
As Ken declared that while adjusting his glasses, a flash of light gleamed off the lenses. What's with this guy?
"Look at this guy's confidence. Wanna bet?"
"Oh-ho! What are you thinking of wagering!"
"Don-gapnaegi."
"Don-gapnaegi? What's that?"
He doesn't know what that is?
"It's a bread they sell at the school store. Tastes fucking amazing."
"What? The school store? The food sold there wouldn't be very healthy, would it?"
You silver-spoon son of a bitch! I bet Ken's the type who eats at the cafeteria buffet every single day!
"Hey, then let's make it a drink. You do drink stuff, right?"
"Ah, make it a Zero Cola, please."
"Heh heh heh, you're reacting like you've already won?"
"Because first period is Instructor Kawar's class."
Ah, fuck.
No wonder he was overflowing with confidence.
No. But it's fine.
No way it'll happen again today.
"Instructor Kawar, huh... Hey. Has Si-hoo come in yet?"
Come to think of it, Si-hoo's not here.
"Not yet."
The hell?
Was he still sleeping in his room?
I should have woken him up, then. I'd feel kind of bad if he's late. Anyway. After I sat down, I noticed Ryu Cheon-hwi was absent again today. I didn't have time to file a complaint yesterday, but today I'm definitely going to complain to the school. Does this guy just not come to school?
So I was chatting with Ken like that when.
—Slide.
The door opened and Leona walked in.
"Hello."
Already the class celebrity, that's Leona. As she came in, she was smiling and greeting all sorts of students. Meanwhile, I haven't even had a proper conversation with most of the class yet.
Just as Leona was about to pass by me.
"Ack! I'm blinded!"
The Angel-radiance bursting out of her made me shut my eyes!
"Huh? Wh-What? Kim Geun-cheol? What's wrong?"
"Hey...! What are you doing!"
"What am I doing?"
"Angel Leona! You're so radiant I can't open my eyes! Please, turn off that halo!"
"What! Are you being serious right now! Quiet down before I actually blind you! Are you making fun of me right now!"
"Making fun of you? I'm sincere. I'm always sincere when it comes to my lifesaver, Angel Leona."
"Sincere my ass! Stop it!"
—Flash!
In an instant, Leona raised her fist with a terrifying aura!
"Your mouth! Right in the mouth! I'm asking you before I hit, but Kim Geun-cheol, do you happen to know the term 'Fist Kiss'!"
A Fist Kiss, she said!
"No, no! Okay, okay! It's a joke! A joke! I'll stop!"
An angel throwing fists—there's no apostate monk as bad as that!
"Too bad. I was hoping to educate you a bit about the Fist Kiss. Anyway, Kim Geun-cheol? I'll be watching you today, too. To see if you scream or not."
"Why the hell are you 'watching' for that?"
"Hmph. That's only natural."
With her left hand on her hip, Leona spoke.
—Swoosh.
She slid her right hand behind her neck, sending her beautiful silver hair scattering, and spoke with supreme arrogance.
"Because Kim Geun-cheol screaming is proof you're letting your guard down that much. I already saved you once when you were thrashing around with a leg cramp like a maniac, so I can't stand to see you in a state like that again. My leadership as class president won't allow it. Just try screaming—I'll sew your mouth right shut."
Good lord, she said she'd sew my mouth shut! Such terrifying words!
"How can you say such a thing! Don't say such scary things! Please spare me! What kind of angel does that!"
"I do it precisely because I'm an angel. Don't you know you have to stitch up wounds? I happen to be a master of physical therapy, you know. I also have a certification in the Fist Kiss procedure. Anyway, this Leona will be watching, so stay sharp. A hero must never let their guard down, you see. Later."
—Click-clack.
After leaving those terrifying words, Leona returned to her seat.
"Brrr!"
"Stop with the 'Brrr'! Are you going to keep doing that!"
"Okay! Okay! I'll stop now!"
"Hmph!"
She really is a scary style. I've never seen such a haughty woman. Makes me want to slump down and sob. An angel and a devil. A woman who possesses both faces simultaneously... you could almost call her Count Asura.
"Phew."
After seeing Leona off and waiting a bit, Instructor Lee So-ra came in for the morning assembly.
"Two absentees today, is it? Ryu Cheon-hwi and Lee Si-hoo."
Si-hoo really still isn't here.
I checked my phone and the '1' still hadn't disappeared.
"Well, no particular announcements. First period is Instructor Kawar's magic combat class, so make sure you take it properly."
Having given that brief notice, the instructor left.
And first period began.
Time to get serious, Geun-cheol.
Today is the day I finally ditch the Scream Man title.