Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Han-gyeol was stifling a laugh behind a clenched fist.
Bom felt utterly flustered. She hadn't even asked, so how did he know she was looking for his uncle? Her eyes wavered like a ship in a storm.
“I-I see. Good luck with the race, Han-gyeol.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be back. Hey, Kim Jae-hyun! Let’s go!”
Wiping away a cold sweat, Bom hesitantly moved to sit next to the class president. Before she could sit, someone behind her quickly unfolded a handkerchief and spread it over the chair. This was the hallmark of Class 2; everyone was exceptionally well-mannered. Thanks to them, Bom began her spectating from a clean seat.
“Oh? It’s starting soon!”
“Whack those balloons!”
At the class president’s shout, the sound of cheering balloons being struck grew louder. The runners, including Han-gyeol, were gathering at the starting line across the field.
“So, Han-gyeol and Jae-hyun are the fastest in our class?”
When Bom asked the question, the Class 2 students around her excitedly chimed in.
“They’re both incredibly fast, so our class will definitely take first.”
“That’s right, Teacher. This is basically a battle for first and second place.”
Looking out at the field, the runners were taking their marks on the starting line. Seeing them in their starting stances made her feel a sudden surge of nerves.
“Are those two really that fast? They’re running one lap each, right?”
“Yes, Teacher. Looks like they’re starting now.”
“Whoooo! Go Class 2!”
As the start became imminent, the students grew frantic.
“Class 2! Class 2! Run! Class 2! Aaaah! It’s starting!”
“Finish with a half-lap lead!”
Bom stood up along with the students. Since she had always been in charge of the third-year students, she had never seen everyone this enthusiastic. Besides, last year’s event had been held online.
I can’t believe I’m this nervous.
Her heart thudded. She finally understood why people went wild for sports. For the first time in her life, Bom began to cheer for her own team.
“Guys! Run hard!”
The moment she shouted, the starter pistol fired.
Bang! Bang!
With a puff of white smoke, the class relay began. Right from the start, the runners pulling ahead were from Class 2. They’re really good! Bom’s heart felt like it was going to burst.
Oh, a photo. I should take a photo for them. I’m sure Han-gyeol’s uncle will be curious.
Bom hurriedly pulled her phone out of her pocket.
“Waaaaah!”
The students’ heated roars were almost dizzying. On top of that, the local residents joined in the cheering, making Bom’s ears ring.
The runners who had started far away were already rounding the half-lap mark and drawing closer.
Seon Han-gyeol was in the lead. His lean, long legs blurred past the Class 2 sign. A light gust of wind whipped up in his wake.
Han-gyeol is actually quite cool!
While she was momentarily lost in admiration, Han-gyeol zipped past like the wind. She didn't even have time to snap a photo.
“Ah…”
As Bom sighed in disappointment, a student behind her muttered blankly.
“Huh? Is that a drone?”
What? Bom shielded her eyes with the back of her hand and scanned the sky. Indeed, a drone was busily buzzing around the air.
Does our school have a drone? No. Bom was the one in charge of equipment. As far as she knew, there was no drone on the inventory list.
That meant it came from outside. What could be the purpose of that drone? Bom’s attention was momentarily stolen by the suspicious device.
“Yeah! We won!”
At that moment, Han-gyeol crossed the finish line. Jae-hyun followed right behind him by a hair’s breadth. It was exactly as the class president had predicted. 1st place: Seon Han-gyeol. 2nd place: Kim Jae-hyun. It was an overwhelming victory for Class 2.
“Waaaaaaa! I knew it! Seon Han-gyeol! Kim Jae-hyun! Whooo!”
The excited students rushed out from under the tent all at once. Bom also stepped out, feeling a slight swell of pride.
Whirrrrr—
It happened then. The drone that had been roaming the sky descended right over Bom’s head.
Flustered, Bom looked left and right, scanning the crowd, but there was no one who looked like the owner. Everyone was so distracted by the ensuing performance from the cheerleading squad that there was no one to help her.
“What the…”
The drone circled around Bom. She tried to escape to a corner of the field, but the drone followed her relentlessly.
“What do I do?”
Bom decided to head inside the building and turned around. The drone pursued her with dogged persistence. Something about the situation felt strangely familiar. It was as if…
“Mr. Seon Jae-gyu?”
The moment she spoke, the drone zipped away behind her. As Bom stood there dazed, a large shadow loomed over her.
Bom slowly turned her head back.
“Ha…”
“How’d you figure it was me? Wow.”
Jae-gyu’s ultra-light sports goggles were glinting in the sunlight.
With a smirk, Jae-gyu took off his sleek, half-mirrored sunglasses—the kind a PE teacher might wear. To finish the look, he folded the temples neatly and tucked them into his T-shirt.
“I’m a bit late, aren’t I?”
He was wearing a white, skin-tight functional short-sleeve shirt that emphasized his physique even more.
Don’t tell me he wore white because he’s on the White Team?
It seemed he had dressed for the occasion with unnecessary dedication. His pants were ordinary black training pants, but the silhouette was incredibly embarrassing.
And there are so many people here today…
He certainly stood out in more ways than one. Bom only looked up after scanning Jae-gyu from head to toe.
“You startled me. Why did you bring a drone?”
“To film Han-gyeol.”
She had nothing to say to that. Bom turned on her heel and headed back toward the tent.
“Well, enjoy the show then.”
As she hurried her pace, Jae-gyu followed close behind. Even without looking at his face, she could hear the thick layer of amusement in his voice.
“Ms. Bom.”
“What is it?”
“Were you waiting for me?”
“Why would I do that?”
Jae-gyu followed her right into the tent before she could say anything and patted the rear of the just-returned Han-gyeol.
“My little pup, you’re damn good at running, aren’t you? Just like me.”
“Phew, it’s hot, Uncle. Can you take your hand off my butt?”
“Just a little more. I packed some ice water. Hurry up and drink.”
Though Han-gyeol told him to let go, he was smiling at Jae-gyu’s touch as they began chatting about when he had arrived.
They’re really close.
Seeing the two of them so affectionate, Bom couldn't hide her envious expression. That was exactly the kind of family dynamic she had always considered ideal—the kind where people care for each other most rather than worrying about how they appear to others.
She could already picture Jae-gyu sitting in the parents' section, cheering fervently for Han-gyeol. It would be a lovely sight…
But why isn't he leaving?
For some reason, Jae-gyu didn't head to the parents' section. Instead, he unfolded a mysterious fishing chair he’d gotten from who-knows-where right next to Bom.
“The ref missed that. Right?”
“…”
Then, he shamelessly sat there and began meddling in everything.
“Aieee, he’s kicking with so little power that his shoe flew off. Those folks are frustrating to watch.”
A kickball game was in full swing on the field. Jae-gyu was focused on the match. Bom, who had initially told him to leave, eventually gave up on trying to kick him out.
“Kick it to the left! The left!”
Bom, who was watching with him, chimed in.
“If you know so much, why don't you go out there yourself?”
At that, Jae-gyu lowered his voice, pretending to be serious.
“If I step in, the entire sports day ecosystem will collapse. Is that what you want…?”
He was talking nonsense.
“What do you mean, ‘what I want’… and what ecosystem…? Just watch the game.”
Though it was a bit distracting, the things Jae-gyu said while sitting next to her were quite entertaining. Throughout the match, Bom giggled at the remarks he tossed out.
Before long, the event changed to the ball-rolling race. While sucking on ice cream that Jae-gyu had treated them to, the students' cheering grew even more intense.
Bom was also slowly kneading and eating a pear-flavored tube ice cream Jae-gyu had handed her. It was then.
“President Seon, what are you doing here!”
A middle-aged woman who seemed to know Jae-gyu panted as if she had rushed over. Jae-gyu didn't budge from his seat and asked lazily.
“What’s the matter?”
“Are you really not going to do the Parental Gourd Smashing Game? I heard the Blue Team even has a former shot putter.”
They’re taking it that seriously? Bom’s ears perked up.
“Whether it’s a shot putter or a nuclear bomb, I’m telling ya, if I go out there, they’re all dead meat.”
“…”
Nuclear bomb, my foot. Bom just listened to this ridiculous conversation.
“Just go out there!”
As the two of them bickered, the noise grew louder, and people from other class tents began to look over.
“I’m staying out for the sake of balance.”
Bom grabbed one of Jae-gyu’s arms and pulled him up. With so many onlookers, she didn't want him drawing this kind of attention for the wrong reasons.
“Could you please go out there, Han-gyeol’s uncle?”
“See? Even the homeroom teacher is asking, so let’s get moving.”
At Bom’s urging, Jae-gyu stood up, shoved his hands into his training pants, and tilted his head, looking down at her.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“With what?”
Bom blinked slowly at the man’s low, husky voice.
“If everyone in town falls for me after seeing me in action, are you gonna be okay with that?”
“…”
It wasn't even worth an answer. Bom gave Jae-gyu’s back a firm shove. It was a signal for him to get going.
“Yo, Han-gyeol. Uncle’s going to go crush that gourd. You kids better take lots of pictures of me.”
Jae-gyu stretched his arms, his joints popping, and marched out to the center of the field.
“Fall for him? Please.”
Bom shook her head and sat back down after borrowing a pair of binoculars from Teacher Jung Jin-hyuk in the next tent.