Hobbies, Forms, and Unsettled Bets
While I stayed at the worship hall, Kang Ji-a was always there, and my uncle only stopped by briefly on Saturday. According to him, he was swamped smuggling a Gyeonggi Order executive who was in hiding overseas back into Korea, so he couldn't stick around the hall. He looked much gaunter than before.
"Why are you working so hard?" I asked, puzzled. I couldn't figure out what was driving him to go to such lengths. The uncle I knew wasn't the type to sacrifice himself for others like that.
He let out a deep sigh at my question. "Just... he was a comrade, you know... I didn't plan on helping this much at first, but when I saw his face, well, people have hearts..."
He trailed off evasively.
"What, you suddenly got sympathetic 'cause she's pretty now?" I teased with a smirk.
His face visibly flushed—he was thrown off, completely unlike his usual self. "Hey, kid. That's not what I meant... You gonna just turn away a girl crying and clinging to you? Is Voodoo that heartless?"
"What does this have to do with Voodoo?"
"Helping someone in need is the right thing to do. Or not 'right'—it's doctrine."
He always dragged Voodoo into it when cornered.
"I never said don't help. Do what you want. I won't interfere as long as it doesn't cause me trouble."
Whether he brought the Gyeonggi Order executive or not, it wouldn't bother me unless it backfired. Personally, I didn't like her much, but ability-wise, she'd be an asset to Voodoo.
"Fine, I'm not doing it 'cause I like her. She's just pitiful..."
"Why's your tongue so long? You like her?"
"Knew you'd say that. It's not like that."
We bickered lightly. Kang Ji-a watched us with a smile, quietly taking in our not-quite-argument.
In the middle of chatting, my uncle—who'd been glancing at his phone—went pale. "Ah, shit... Seon-woo, I gotta go. Wanted to stay longer, but this is urgent."
"Yeah, go."
Before we could even see him off, he grabbed his coat and bolted out in a panic. Must've been really pressing.
Soon after he left, Kang Ji-a filled the coffee pot with water and set it to boil. She pulled out finely ground coffee beans and some weird machine I'd never seen. She loaded the grounds into it and slowly poured the boiling water over. A rich, familiar café aroma wafted gently through the air. She looked pretty professional at it.
"Training to be a barista?" I joked.
She glanced back at me. "...As a hobby..."
"For real?"
"Nothing else to do here in the hall..."
She trailed off, sounding embarrassed. Come to think of it, she had a ton of hobbies. Cooking probably started that way too, and I knew she studied pharmacology as a hobby. Guess all that alone time led to picking up skills.
"What hobbies does the cult leader have?"
She set two cups on the table and asked. I didn't usually drink coffee, but since she'd made it herself, I figured I'd give it a shot. I took a sip and answered.
"Dunno... Exercise?"
"Isn't that just something you have to do, not a hobby?"
"Maybe? Nothing else qualifies."
I took another couple sips. I'd always hated the bitterness before, but this barely had any. Tasted like "nutty-smelling black water"—actually pretty decent.
"Having at least one hobby isn't a bad idea."
"Would growing flowers count?"
"Of course. Good for the mind and body."
Mind and body relaxation... Yeah, I could use some these days.
"Thinking of starting one, then."
"Nice. Doesn't really suit you, though."
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"Joking."
She smirked and sipped her coffee. Never thought I'd see her crack a joke. She'd changed a lot since the old days, I realized anew.
Back at the dorm after the weekend, my first task was planting the flower seed in a pot. With internet guides and Granbwa's help, I learned the right way. While at it, I picked up watering and repotting tips too.
"Don't die."
I patted the soil over the seed like a plea. Not like it'd magically sprout from that, but I wanted to say it. A promise to invest my time and care.
Off to school. After grades posted, reactions varied ahead of practicals. Some stared blankly, crushed; others bragged they'd ace the practicals anyway.
In the chaotic exam buzz, my eyes met Jeong In-ah's. She shook her head at me. Looked like a greeting, but why shake her head instead of waving?
"Alright! Don't get too down over one test. Survive today too~"
Ha Ye-jin popped in, said that, and left. Homeroom felt shorter every time.
The room quieted briefly, then noisied up again—until Ha Ye-jin burst back through the front door.
"Forgot this. Do Seon-woo, come to the office quick!"
Her sharp call echoed in the silence. Eyes flicked to me, then away. Jeong In-ah eyed me curiously. Shrugging off the stares, I headed down clueless.
*
Ha Ye-jin shoved a stack of papers at me the second I arrived. "Give one to each class rep, have 'em fill it and drop it on my desk. You do yours too."
"Deadline?"
"Today... No, wait. Tomorrow."
I glanced at the paper. Additional consent form for the mission trip. They'd collected apps before, but schedule changes from incidents meant re-signing.
Why me? No clue.
"Don't wanna?"
She read my face like a book. Guess I slipped.
I smiled. "No, not that..."
"Good, then off you go~"
She grinned and turned to her monitor. Annoying, but simple enough. I went without complaint.
First, Kindness Class—closest to the office. No Yeo Min-seo. Realized she hadn't been discharged yet. Still, handed a paper to a guy chatting by the door.
"Give this to Yeo Min-seo when she gets back."
"H-Huh? Y-Yeo Min-seo?"
He panicked, even backed up. Wouldn't take the paper.
"S-Sorry, not close, so..."
"Who is, then?"
"Uh, um..."
He scanned the room, but no one met our eyes. Guess no friends here.
Made sense.
"Sorry, don't really know... I'll handle it. Thanks."
The room, hushed like I'd dumped ice water when I mentioned her name, roared back to life as I left. Peeking through the door, it was all cheerful vibes.
Next, Patience Class, right beside. No Kim Jin-seo. Calmer, quieter than Kindness—hard to just grab someone.
"Looking for someone? Jin-seo?"
A girl approached. Somehow knew—lucky break. I flashed my polite smile for strangers.
"Yeah, got something for her. Know where?"
"Dunno, probably training or working out..."
"Can you pass it when she comes?"
"Huh? No?"
She smiled wide, eyes sparkling. "You give it yourself."
"Can't wait—who knows when. Busy."
"She'd love if you waited a bit."
"Nope."
Five classes left. Text or call later.
Heading out, I called Kim Jin-seo—no answer. Texted instead. Missed call from Mun Yo-seop; no need to return. Didn't want to.
Diligence Class next. Kang Dae-man was there, beaming overly enthusiastically.
"Do Seon-woo! What's up!"
Breathless, booming as always. Handed him the paper.
"Mission trip consent. To Ha Ye-jin by tomorrow."
"Thanks! Tomorrow morning? Lunch?"
"Dunno. Tomorrow anyway. But..."
Glanced back. Kids horsing around mixed genders. One gripped a desk with hands, trying to lift bodyweight on arms. Failed, tumbled—others laughed, patted back. Next kid tried, failed, repeat.
"What's that?"
"Class trend: 'Planche Challenge.' Wanna try?"
"Nah, busy."
"Next time, then!"
He strode back, nailed it flawlessly amid cheers and claps. Diligence was rowdiest, most lively.
Humility next. Surprisingly, Ma Yu-hyeon was there—dark skin stood out in the crowd. Four desks shoved together for cards.
"Huh? Wait, finishing this hand."
Answered absently, focused. Looked a bit worn. Stared at cards intently, tossing or stacking bills.
"Can't fold this. Call. Show?"
"Fuck! Why's this guy's hand always good? Cheat? Who's dealing?"
"Luck. Thanks anyway—dinner's on me today."
Didn't know rules, but he won. Kids cursed amid his calm cash-grab, faint winner's smile.
"You show up, I get good cards. What's up? Here to play?"
Passed him the form. "To Ha Ye-jin by tomorrow."
"...Not on good terms with her."
"Not my problem."
Left quick. He glanced, then back to game at friends' urging. Cards showed fake calm, thrill/disappointment.
First time seeing real-money gambling in school. Humility split boys/girls unlike Diligence. Classes really differed; ours seemed normal—relief.
Temperance last before Purity. Han Su-ryeon perched on windowsill, chatting friends. After Humility shock, this felt utterly average.
"H-Hi! Why're you... here?"
Stuttered awkwardly, like a kid caught stealing. Racked brain—no beef. Barely interacted.
Handed paper. "Mission consent. Ha Ye-jin by tomorrow."
"Oh? Uh, thanks!"
Sweat beaded her forehead. Avoided eyes, looked away, fake smile. Guilty or hiding something. Suspicious, but brushed off.
Heading to Purity, she called softly, following cautiously, glancing back.
"Um... Do you... s-smoke?"
"What?"
I raised my voice in disbelief; she flinched.
"Who said that crap?"
"N-No, just heard... Anyway, you don't?"
"Right. Who..."
Spreading nonsense? Bit tongue. Rumors her fault? No—source's. Don't snap at her.
"And you..."
Glanced warily. "That girl you hang with, brown hair. Jeong... In-ah? Right?"
"What about her."
"Don't get mad. You dating her?"
Shook head no-brainer.
She tilted head. "Then Kim Jin-seo?"
"Why her?"
"You two always together. Last time too..."
Trailed off, eyes widening. "No way... both?"
"Bullshit. Neither."
Hurried off—time short, energy draining. Gut feeling bad, yelled back as she entered class.
"...Don't spread weird rumors!"
She gossips. Could spark nonsense. She nodded slyly, mouthing agreement. Still, unease lingered. Shook it off for Purity. Rumors? Deny if spread. No time anyway—bigger fish.
*
"Still dyeing?"
Kim Ra-hee scowled pointedly at the sudden question. Kids who ignored her before now acting buddy-buddy. Taking advantage of her rift with Seong Ha-yeon... Annoying, but snapping meant total isolation.
Forced smile. "Yeah, about time again."
"Gray again?"
"Probably."
Always wanted white, but matched Seong Ha-yeon's look—too obvious copycat. Gray was edgy enough without mockery, paired well.
Didn't wanna know, but learned recently.
"Never tried other colors? You'd rock any."
"Other colors... yeah."
And got mocked. Memory stung—hot pain like molten metal bubbling in chest.
"We close?"
"Huh? N-No, just─"
"Then why talk."
Tsked. Pain eased a bit. Kid gawked, eyes darting; sharp-eared kids hushed.
"..."
Stares burned. Gut churned. Slipped out, glancing at Seong Ha-yeon—head down on desk since grades, unmoving. Bombed? Still beat me. Obvious.
Bad mood today. Skip class. Teachers barely show anyway.
Opened door—
"Ack, shit! Scared me...!"
Do Seon-woo stood there. First post-break; seemed darker, more brooding than first impression. Gloomy? Shadowy? Hard to pin.
Hid overreaction embarrassment. "W-What're you."
"You Seong Ha-yeon's friend?"
Ignored, counter-asked. 'Seong Ha-yeon's friend' irked over name, but nodded.
"Yeah, why?"
"In class? Call her. Got something."
Hesitated—awkward re-entering right after leaving. His face stone-cold. Better comply. Simple ask.
"...Wait."
Approached slumped Seong Ha-yeon, tapped shoulder. She lifted head slowly, eyes red-rimmed.
Pointed to front door. "Do Seon-woo wants you."
She bolted up, eyes wide—pure shock.
"W-Why? What for?"
"Something to give."
"Uh... Say I'm absent. Sick..."
"Why lie? What'd you do?"
Last voice: Do Seon-woo's—sneering, laced with hostility.
Kim Ra-hee swallowed in sudden hush. What'd he do to freeze her?
Silence broke as he reached into pocket for folded paper. Seong Ha-yeon—lip-biting, eyes darting—jumped up, blocking.
"W-Wait. Not here. Outside."
"...Why?"
"Class... please..."
Dragged him to hall. Curiosity peaked—followed to eavesdrop.
Seong Ha-yeon panted, flushed, head bowed guiltily. Do Seon-woo stared blankly, coldly casual—unlike her rigid fear.
"Why outside?"
"The bet... grades wager..."
Mumbled, then lifted head resolutely. "T-Tie?"
(Continued in the next chapter)