PE Class (1)
During the break, as the classroom grew a little noisy, I glanced sideways. There was Kang Siwoo, quietly lost in thought while staring out the window. It had already been a little over two weeks since the start of the school year, and my textbook was now filled with dense notes.
I’d always liked studying and was the diligent type who focused during class. That was just how my personality was. Which made Kang Siwoo… a really great desk mate.
He gripped his pencil tightly in his small hand, eyes narrowed in concentration as he wrote with genuine effort. The way he slightly furrowed his brow while focusing never got old, no matter how many times I saw it every day for the past two weeks.
Ah… he’s seriously so cute.
With our textbook placed between us on the desk, our shoulders had been brushing against each other from time to time. The distance between me—taller than most—and Kang Siwoo as I looked down at him somehow made my heart flutter.
It’s a little embarrassing to get excited over something like this… but it feels so good.
When I first met Kang Siwoo, I hadn’t been this interested. I’d just thought he was a small, cute boy. But over these two weeks, every little habit of his had started to win me over. His blunt way of speaking, the way he tried not to mix with others, his serious eyes when studying, even the occasional small sigh he let out. I liked everything about him.
If it’s with this kid, I feel like I could have the sweet, fluffy romance I’ve always wanted.
I rested my chin on my hand and stared at him openly. Kang Siwoo was still focused on taking notes, but every now and then he’d mumble something under his breath or let out a tiny sigh.
What’s he muttering? Is it hard for him?
—ㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡ—
The math teacher was pushing the lesson hard today as usual. With her sharp features, crisp blouse, and slacks, she was the very picture of a strict instructor. Her fast pace only added to it. My hand was starting to ache a little, but I was still keeping up.
Around the middle of class, Han Seoa slid her textbook slightly toward me and whispered in a small voice.
“Siwoo, I’m a bit confused on this part… Can you explain it to me?”
I frowned slightly as I looked at her.
“…You’re good at studying. Why are you asking me?”
“Even if I’m good, I still don’t know what I don’t know. You explain things really well.”
Han Seoa said that and pushed her textbook even closer to me. Our shoulders pressed together lightly. My body stiffened for a second.
…Hey, don’t stick so close.
I could feel my ears growing hot. Why did this girl keep clinging to me every single day? For two weeks straight, she’d been coming at me nonstop.
I reluctantly started explaining. I spoke in a low voice, going over it step by step, but Han Seoa only pretended to listen while staring intently at my face the whole time. Her gaze was so distracting that I couldn’t focus properly.
When I finished, Han Seoa smiled brightly.
“Thanks, Siwoo. I get it now because of you. As a thank-you, I’ll buy you something at lunch. You like snacks, right?”
“…I don’t need anything. I’ll eat alone.”
“Aw, come on, let’s eat together. I want to get closer to you.”
Han Seoa didn’t back down at all. I frowned deeper and grumbled.
“…Why do you keep coming at me like this?”
Han Seoa answered with a laugh.
“Just… because I’m drawn to you. So I’m only this way with you.”
…Crazy.
I swallowed the curse in my mind. It had only been a month since I came to this world, yet I was already exhausted from dealing with such an aggressive girl every day.
That was when a very tall female student from the seat in front turned around to look at us. It was Yu Sea. She had the kind of build that could easily play basketball and had a strong presence even inside the classroom.
“Han Seoa, are you bothering Kang Siwoo again?”
“I’m not bothering him. I’m just trying to get along with him.”
Kang Siwoo let out a small sigh and muttered.
“…Who said they wanted to get along?”
Han Seoa lightly tapped my arm and laughed.
“You should get along with me. You don’t completely hate me, right, Siwoo?”
Instead of answering, I whipped my head away.
…Why does she keep bothering me like this?
Like that, my plans were slowly falling apart.
“Huu…”
The feel of the gym clothes, the unique grassy scent of the field, the warm sunlight pouring down. Everything felt just right.
Third period—PE class. This was easily the most refreshing moment of my day.
Being the PE Manager meant I had to come out early to organize the equipment before class, which was a bit of a hassle. But honestly, I didn’t mind it. The suffocating feeling of being stuck in the classroom for the first two periods vanished all at once.
I took out gloves, bats, and balls from the storage shed and slowly walked toward one side of the field. To be honest, this time was far better than sitting in class. It was a moment where I could move my body without thinking and feel a little freer from everyone’s stares.
I slipped on a glove and lightly clenched and unclenched my fist. Even with this small body, exercising gave me a sense of release.
…I’m in a good mood today.
While bouncing the ball lightly with that thought, a familiar voice came from behind.
“What are you having so much fun playing with by yourself?”
“…Ah.”
Startled, I turned around to see a tall girl standing there in tight-fitting gym clothes. Han Seoa. She was looking at me with an endlessly bright and confident face.
“…PE is my favorite class. If it weren’t for PE, I would’ve gone crazy already.”
“……You don’t like math class?”
“If you have time for useless questions like that, just shut up and throw the ball.”
She laughed and walked over to stand beside me. I frowned, but I had no choice but to answer. Han Seoa and I had already been in the same class, sitting right next to each other, for a whole month. It felt too awkward to completely ignore her, so I was just responding moderately.
“…You came out early.”
“Just had a few things to do.”
“…What things?”
I’d taken the PE Manager role simply because it let this small body feel a bit freer when moving around. It was much more comfortable to take the lead myself than to be dragged around by others. Coming out early to prepare wasn’t bad either.
But there weren’t even many people on the field yet. I really couldn’t understand why Han Seoa had come out so early just to hover around me.
“……Your gym clothes look a bit weird.”
I regretted it the moment the words left my mouth. Han Seoa paused for a second, then widened her eyes and stared at me. Soon she let out a small laugh and looked down at her own clothes.
“These? I usually wear my gym clothes tight like this. It’s comfortable to move in, so I like it.”
Seeing her casual reaction only made me feel more embarrassed. I slightly averted my gaze and mumbled.
“No, that’s not what I meant… Just… the sleeves and waist look a bit tight.”
Han Seoa tilted her head slightly, still smiling.
“Really? Then why don’t you take a proper look, Siwoo? See if it suits me.”
She took another step closer and lightly tugged at the waist of her gym clothes. I panicked and stepped back.
“……No need. Just wear it like that.”
“Aw, why? You seem like you’re good at judging clothes.”
Han Seoa laughed playfully and kept coming closer. Her laughter was light and bright, and it strangely kept catching my attention.
She didn’t stop laughing as she spoke.
“Now that you said that, I’m even more self-conscious. After PE, can you look at it properly for me?”
Instead of answering, I turned my head slightly away.
“Just be quiet…”
“Pfft…”
Han Seoa burst out laughing. The moment I heard that laugh, I felt a strange emotion stir.
She stopped laughing, stepped even closer with a bright face, and said,
“Siwoo, want to toss the ball around with me a bit? Just to warm up before class starts.”
“…No need. I’ll do it alone.”
“Come on, let’s do it together. It’ll be more fun than doing it by yourself.”
She was already holding a ball and bouncing it lightly in front of me. I frowned, but eventually sighed and took out my glove. It felt too awkward to refuse completely.
My plan to quietly prepare by myself had gone off track again. But when she was being this pushy, it was hard to ignore her.
Han Seoa lightly threw the ball as she approached. I reluctantly put on the glove and faced her. Her smile was so bright that it actually made me more uncomfortable.
“Ready?”
Han Seoa threw the ball gently. I caught it and threw it back. Every time she caught it, she smiled brightly, and the distance between us gradually grew shorter.
…Doesn’t she ever get tired?
For a whole month, she’d been sticking to me every day—smiling, talking, suggesting we do things together. At first it was just annoying, but now a strange feeling was starting to mix in with that annoyance. That annoyed me even more.
Han Seoa caught the ball and said,
“Siwoo, you throw better than I thought. Throw it harder.”
I threw it with a bit more force without saying anything. Han Seoa caught it with a laugh and threw it back. Every time her gym clothes moved, a faint scent drifted over, and I unconsciously noticed it.
…Have I lost my mind?
I shook my head slightly and tried to focus. But Han Seoa kept getting closer and talking nonstop.
“What are you doing after PE today? Want to go to the library with me? Or the convenience store?”
“…Not interested.”
“Aw, come on, let’s go together.”
At Han Seoa’s direct words, I frowned again. But she didn’t seem to mind at all and just kept smiling brightly.
I thought to myself,
…I really don’t know what to do with her.