Never the Puberty Problem Child
Puberty—I've never once carried the title of problem child in my entire life. Not even in my previous one, where I lived diligently and earnestly without ever getting on any superior's bad side. So yeah, this was a bit of a shock.
"Anyone wanna try solving this problem?"
"I'll do it, Teacher."
But me? A reincarnated soul on his second go-round at life. You think I'd mope just because the teacher gave me a little scolding?
"Sorry, but can someone help me move this?"
"I'll do it."
I jumped at every chance like a fresh recruit eager to prove himself.
"One more! We need exactly one more for soccer!"
"I'm in."
"Hey hey!! Yujin's on our team!"
"Shut up!! Then give us a three-point head start!!"
To buddy up with the boys, I ditched the library for the playground.
"...Is this really all I have to do?"
"Yup yup! Just stick around, Yujin!"
"...But is it okay if we don't even talk or anything—"
"Haha~!"
"Yujin is so funny~!"
"......?"
Anyway, I put in the effort to chat with the girls too, mending fences. It was exhausting day by day since their personalities clashed with mine, but what did it matter if I could restore my tarnished reputation? I planned to give it my all for at least a month to rehab my image—but.
"I think I misunderstood you, Yujin. Sorry about that."
"...Pardon?"
Three days after the day I last made Yujin cry. Shockingly, my image was already fully restored.
"Coming to school early like this. Studying hard. Even handling whatever the other kids ask of you on the spot?"
It was an early Friday morning. I'd come to the classroom ahead of time to enjoy some solitude as usual, only to find the teacher already there. She said she'd come straight to our class after arriving at school, knowing my routine, just to chat for a bit.
She asked the usual transfer-student questions: Was schoolwork tough? Any cultural differences giving me trouble? Getting along okay with the classmates? All my answers were a crisp "Nep."
"Let's keep having fun at school together with me and your classmates from now on, okay?"
"Nep."
She beamed at my snappy responses. But come April, I'd revert to my true gloomy Hawaiian self. I'd subtly dial back my involvement and coast through the rest of school like a dark templar. Teacher, you oblivious Toridas.
"Oh right. Speaking of which, Yujin... how are things with our class president Yujin?"
Just as I was slinking away like an assassin on the move, she brought up the princess next door.
"It's a little awkward, but I think we can get along again."
In other words, awkward phase.
Yeah, Chae Yujin. Looking back, everything started when I got tangled up with this adorable princess. Of course, it was my fault for not spotting her competitive streak right away. And Kim Minho's fault for egging on her suppressed tears until the incident blew up.
Anyway.
"...Today's the last day."
Friday. In other words, the day my Bang & Olufsen speakers might vanish from my room. On Wednesday, I minimized contact to avoid any incidents. Thursday, I tried broaching the topic after lunch, but it flopped—thanks to Kim Minho luring me into soccer again.
And.
'Weirdly, Yujin hasn't started any conversations with me either.'
She's the princess who lit a fire in her eyes vowing to beat me. But summing up her vibe over the past two days: lukewarm. Her standoffish stance made it hard to approach.
...So today was my last shot.
"She definitely said kids like sweets, right...?"
Sarahk.
I slyly pulled it from my desk drawer. A prettily wrapped bundle of chocolates. Not handmade—convenience store bulk sale on the way here. White Day event, even though White Day's next week. Clerk or manager must've botched the order, but it handed me a golden opportunity.
'Win her over with chocolate, then buy a slice cake and invite her over...'
Perfect. Plan solid.
"...She's late."
The issue? Princess was running ridiculously late today. Homeroom was ten minutes away, and she'd normally be chitchatting with the kids by now. Something was off.
...No way she's skipping, right?
"...So laaate."
At this rate, I'd be entering middle school? I muttered dumb quips while pining away, and maybe that worked.
"Yujina~!"
"Hurry hurry! Teacher's not here yet!"
She showed up one minute before homeroom.
"S-safe...!"
Pretty ragged breathing—worried about being late, I guess.
"Sooo tiiiired...."
Yujin plopped into her seat, panting, slumping forward. Her long hair cascaded down, revealing her forehead.
What, even her forehead's pretty?
'...This is just an elementary kid?'
Less than a week since I met her, but her looks still stunned me every time. If I were her brag-worthy parents, I'd start an Insta or YouTube just to show her off. Personality's hyper as hell, but hey, elementary kid. With looks like that, she'll get street-cast before middle school.
"Huh?"
"You look thirsty."
I pulled my tumbler from my bag while thinking that. Her reaction didn't match her earlier mutters about being parched.
Swish swish.
I rolled the tumbler around on the desk. Her eyes followed it every time....
"Ugh."
A crease formed between my brows.
Should've just said you wanted it.
"Here."
"...Thanks."
I handed it over before her lips could pout. Her cheeks puffed a bit, but thirst won out.
Gulp gulp.
"Hmm, it's lukewarm!"
God, that pisses me off.
Homeroom wrapped up half-assed. But that was fine. I still had breaks left.
"Yujina, let's hit the bathroom together~!"
First break. Bathroom's not a cafe, dude?
"Yujina, Serin was calling you?"
Second break. Yujin sure gets around.
"Yujina, come to the music room?"
Third break. Music club president, huh?
"Lunch duty, go on ahead."
Don't bullshit me!! Why's she so busy today of all days!!
'The chocolate's melting. At this rate, the chocolate's gonna melt...'
Of course, it was my patience melting, not the chocolate. And my Bang & Olufsen was rusting away from waiting.
'Not that...!'
I watched Yujin on lunch duty, munching away. My laser stare met hers now and then.
Meeeeng....
Yeah, like that sound effect in her glare. Utterly inscrutable.
'What're you trying to say?'
I tilted my head, staring blankly.
Meeeeng...!
Her glare intensified. Emotions ramping up, but still no clue, so I narrowed my eyes a tad.
Meeeeng!!
Okay. Analysis complete. This is a test. Zero interest in talking to you, but if you wanna chat, figure it out yourself.
Meeeeng!!!
Otherwise, why glare like that?
'My Bang & Olufsen...!!'
I locked eyes desperately for the answer. But no matter the angle, it just looked like "Should I go?"
...Karma says maybe that's spot on.
Meeeeng!!!
Fine! I'll take the hit!
I relaxed my eyes right as she finished serving the last kid and set down the tongs—
Thud, thud, thud.
Could I handle that profound aura head-on? I slowly tilted my head up as she approached.
"...Ugh."
Her eyes were all teary for some reason. Whatever it was, I'd done something bad again.
"......"
I steadied my breath and shut my mouth. Saying "You crying?" would burst the dam. But just staring might rile her up more...
"Thanks to you, I got to eat lots of pasta. Nice."
You can't spit on a smiling face, and curses don't fly at praise.
"You remembered I said I like Western food last time? Thanks."
I cracked a full smile for the first time in ages. Mom and Dad say no kid's fake grin annoys like mine, but is that something to say to your son? What kid's smile could ever be ugly?
"...Ugh, don't mock me."
Dang. Not it.
"...Wasn't mocking."
"I said stop."
"Nep."
I dropped the smile instantly. The prickly princess softened her scowl a bit, but still eyed me warily.
"...Lost again."
"Huh?"
"...Tch. You had something to say to me, right?"
Gloomy eyes, chilly tone. Far from her usual bubbly self, but I nodded anyway.
"Wait after. I'll listen."
"But you're lunch duty."
Glare.
"What. Wanna KakaoTalk instead?"
"...No, I meant you'd help clean up the cafeteria..."
Her glare sharpened to a knife's edge—elementary kid energy I couldn't ignore. Blurted something against my will.
"Faster together. I'll help."
But as Yujin, how could I lie? Might as well rack up points while helping clean. I steeled myself.
"Forget it. I don't wanna see your face right now! Idiot! Hmph!"
Oof. Brutally shot down.
Yujin furrowed her brows in her signature way, snorted, and headed off to eat.
"Hmph!"
Not satisfied with one, she shot me two prickly looks. I met them with my usual blank stare.
"...What's this?"
1. Suggested seeing her face first.
2. Offered to help clean for quicker talk.
3. Told to get lost 'cause she didn't wanna see my face.
4. ???
Recap done, but total mystery.
"...Puberty?"
Couldn't read the princess's mind, so chalked it up to "puberty" as a catch-all. Fast-bloomers hit it around now, right? Our princess must be in that prickly phase.
"Hmph!!"
...Probably.