You Don't Listen to Rock (2)
Sports day is the opposite. I've got time on the clock, but my brain's a mess. Since the sports day is run by grade, there's three times the stuff to confirm and check. And on top of that, Yujin and I have to practice for the Hwaryeon Stage. It's a total disaster.
"If you're gonna be like that, just do a one-man band."
"Huh? What'd you say?"
"…Said I'm looking forward to tomorrow."
The sun blazed bright, the sand glittered — a Monday in May. In other words, the first day of the sports day. Yujin and I had come to school early and were resting in the student council room. All the planning, execution, and post-event work fell under student council duties. Of course, that was just the dedicated role — it was closer to assisting the teachers. No matter how much authority the student council had, the teachers' opinions carried more weight in a competition-driven event like this.
"If I tell you next time to do a one-man band, will you actually do it?"
Crunch. Crunch crunch. Yujin asked casually while munching on papparoni.
…Why'd she act like she didn't hear me?
"Would you, I said. You're the one who asked me to do this in the first place."
"That's why I asked about your intentions. I would've used 'would' if it were English."
"Well-read."
"Then!"
Yujin stuck her shoulders out and struck a confident pose. I hadn't meant it as a compliment, but she took it well, so I didn't bother adding anything.
"Still, Yuseol — this time around, you're going to become the student council president who leaves a legacy at Hwaryeon."
"Yep."
"Wait. Stop making that face like you think I'm spouting nonsense, and just listen to what I have to say first."
Yujin held out a papparoni with a serious expression. Using food to lure me — that was a brilliant tactic.
"Alright, I'll listen."
Crunch.
"Yuseol, what is a leader?"
"…Usually someone who presents a vision, moves people, and delivers results?"
"I think a leader isn't simply someone with a higher rank, but someone who makes people move on their own."
"…Ohhh."
What grand nonsense was she about to spout. I could already predict the avalanche of hot air, but…
Crunch.
She offered another one, so I decided to listen a bit more.
"Back then, charisma was considered an essential trait for a leader. But in modern society where media has advanced, qualities and virtues beyond charisma have emerged. Yuseol, what do you think that is?"
"…I can sort of see why you'd bring up leadership at this timing…."
Crunch.
"Hint."
"Elon Musk."
"…So you're saying you need showmanship?"
"Bingo."
Turns out I didn't need to listen at all. Of course.
"You just want to be on stage, that's all."
"That's also bingo."
I let out a dry laugh and shook my head. Before I could say anything else, a papparoni slipped into my mouth. I muttered something, narrowed my eyes, and — Yujin giggled softly and ruffled my hair.
"My baby. You do it well when you do it. This is just me wanting to show Yuseol's musician self to everyone."
"Only our parents and grandparents are allowed to say stuff like that."
"Then add me to that list."
"You think I'm running a simulation?"
"What fun conversation are the two of you having since morning?"
An unfamiliar voice with a refreshing tone drifted over. It was Ryu Haneul, the vice president and basketball team captain.
"Hmm, are you saying you raised Yuseol?"
"I should've raised you with a bit more care. Your height is still pathetic."
"Hey. I'm always ready to step into the ring with you."
"Come on, get the weight class and height right first, you little art student."
Haneul smirked and sat down on the opposite sofa. I'd been about to stand up and challenge him to a duel, but…
"My baby. Eat this and grow taller?"
Yujin handed me another papparoni with a warm smile. Her eyes, brimming with affection that couldn't be mustered at this age, made me zone out without realizing it.
"All of you, get out."
"Okay. I'm not playing with you two…."
The student council members filed in with stampeding enthusiasm. That was why the two of them giggled and snickered, but it didn't bother me at all.
"Laugh one more time and you're out."
"Yes. Pfft—."
"You're out."
Yeah. It didn't bother me at all.
…Anyway. The student council's duties during the sports day break down into three main categories.
1. Judging and recording alongside teachers.
2. Running events with the broadcasting and music clubs.
3. Safety personnel.
With only twenty-four people, it seems impossible, but since events are run by grade and everything happens sequentially, it's actually pretty manageable — as long as nothing unusual happens.
"As Coach Jang-hoon said, if anything happens, just share the situation in a quick chat with the nearby teacher. We're first-years, after all, so use the senior authority."
"Student Council President~? I don't think that's a proper statement for a student council president, though…?"
"Then Culture Chair, just follow the standard procedure."
"Ugh. You're only strict with me."
One council member nagged me with complaints, and laughter rang out from various corners. I too laughed lightly and continued.
"Everything you've worked hard for is so we can enjoy the sports day, right? We're participants too, so let's not get hurt."
"Student Council President's speech is too long~."
"Everyone, try a little harder. Okay, everyone except Culture Chair — dismiss."
"'Dismiss~!'"
"Huh?! Why me?!"
While Yujin looked stunned, everyone got up from their seats with bright expressions. Aside from the first-years participating in today's events, everyone was essentially field staff — but a good thing is a good thing, right?
"So why'd you leave her behind?"
"No reason. Let's go."
"Ugh."
A fist landed squarely on my back. Normally each one would've been weighty, but today it was just a light tap.
"I'm looking forward to it, right?"
Yujin stuck to my side and tilted her lips upward. I was brimming with nothing but the hope that nothing eventful would happen, but…
"Yeah. I am."
Matching the mood — that's the virtue of a childhood friend. I gave a light nod.
* * *
Being student council president doesn't mean I just sit at the desk and relax. Some first-years are busy with the sports day, and the whole system was designed so that twenty-four people evenly handle field duties. For that reason, I too was out on the field.
[Pigu. All students from Team 1 and Team 5 participating in piggyback races, please gather to the center of the field.]
The space where the first event — soccer — had just ended. Under the announcer's guidance from the broadcasting club, boys and girls crisscrossed each other, forming lines. Even though they were from different classes, since everything was conducted as a Blue-White battle, the unity was palpable in every way.
"…Put on sunglasses."
Of course, that had nothing to do with me.
"I'm going to check headcount, so Team 1, please come this way."
I gathered the participants, pressing caps down to shield from the sun, and double-checked each name to prevent any proxy participation.
"Senpai…!"
"Didn't expect to see you here."
Hee-in, a first-year who was both a music club member and a student council planning department member, waved a small hand at me. At a glance, she was very short. Even being generous, she was barely in the 150s — a body remarkably well-suited for piggyback races.
…I couldn't say that, though, since we were fellow pint-sized comrades, so I waved back.
"Guess you're bummed about losing the last match."
"That's exactly it. Losing at the very end…."
Her expression crumbled in an instant. But only for a moment.
"But if we win this, it doesn't matter, right? Right?"
"That's right! I will definitely bring honor to Team Blue!"
"…Honor too?"
"Yes! Senpai is on Team Blue too, right?!"
Hee-in clenched her fist and blazed with determination. That junior who used to sneak glances at me actually seemed to be her. I couldn't help but smile.
"Hey. Is now the time to be slacking off?"
Miiiing…
I was about to say a few words of encouragement when a laser-focused gaze landed on me from beside me. How many people in the world give me a stare that blatant? I glanced sideways.
There, Yujin — in the same white cap and gym clothes — stood with her arms crossed.
"They haven't even drawn the line yet."
I pointed to the other side with my chin. There, a culture club member was sprinkling white powder over the existing line.
"This is too much. Are you drawing a line for me right now?"
"Boring."
"Yuseol, your standards are too high. That was an excellent punchline, honestly."
Yujin narrowed her eyes and glared at me as always. I avoided her gaze and looked at Hee-in instead.
"By the way, weren't you also supposed to perform on stage this time?"
"Oh, yes…! The music club decided to do a band performance."
"I saw. Was it a Days Seven song this time?"
Before Hee-in could finish, Yujin cut in.
"I totally fell for Hee-in when I heard her sing. That cute kid turned completely sexy, you know?"
"S-Senpai?!"
"So don't try to charm her, Seol Yujin. Hee-in is my girl."
Yujin winked at Hee-in. The brusqueness from earlier was nowhere to be seen — only warmth remained.
"I, I like Senpai too…!"
"Senpai will cheer for you, so do your best and come back!"
"Y-Yes!"
Hee-in blushed bright red and babbled like always, but since the two of them got along, it was fine, wasn't it?
"All players, line up in front of the line!"
Just then, the teacher in charge blew the whistle. The students who'd been chatting stepped up to the line in a rush.
While each team captain conducted interviews, Yujin and I waited in the teacher's shadow.
"Isn't the sun harsh?"
"Sun?"
I tilted my head at the random comment, and Yujin answered by extending her hand. I looked at what was in her small palm.
"Sunscreen?"
"I need to reapply once at this time of day. Hold out your arm."
Her voice was unusually firm. Normally I'd say it was enough, but the UV index was definitely high today.
"I'll do it."
"You just slap it on once and you're done. Stay still."
Swish swish.
"Right arm too."
Without a word, I held out my right arm after my left. Yujin's careful gaze naturally drifted from my neck up to my face. But…
"Ugh."
She pressed my cap down over my eyes with both hands. It was already deep enough — what more was she supposed to put on?
"What are you…?"
"I was going to do your face too, but I suddenly felt bad about it."
"…Then just say it with words?"
"My heart."
Yujin answered flatly, then reapplied sunscreen to her own arms. Unlike me, she carefully coated her neck and face too, then tucked the sunscreen stick back into her pocket.
Well, since I'm putting it on, I might as well use a bit more.
Since I couldn't say it out loud, I mouthed it with my eyes — and in that moment…
"Push your cap lower."
The moment our eyes met, Yujin pushed my cap brim down.
"…How far down am I supposed to go?"
"Until your face isn't visible."
"Stop it. Half of it's already covered."
Why is this kid's sense of humor always in standby mode?
"Players, take your positions."
Before I could say another word, the match was about to begin. Sighing, I trudged back to my spot with a glare, and —
Miiiing…
Yujin glaring at me just the same. Under that fierce gaze, I averted my eyes and pulled my cap lower.
"My heart, I said."
"…Ah, yes."
In any case, I never lose.