Chapter 16
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Before Filming (2)
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Lee Seol and Woo Hana headed straight to Lee Minwoo's class as soon as morning assembly ended.
Lee Seol had changed out of the borrowed clothes to return them, now dressed only in Seojeong High's spring uniform. A blouse topped with an ivory vest.
The morning was a bit chilly, but the weather wasn't that cold yet.
In contrast, Woo Hana had skipped the vest, wearing just a black zip-up hoodie over her blouse.
"Won't Jaehyun freak out if he sees us?"
"What's there to freak out about?"
"Hanging out and chatting with Minwoo like this..."
Woo Hana exaggerated her gestures, mimicking Seo Jaehyun as they walked down the hallway. Then, suddenly, she seemed to miss a step and stumbled.
"Whoa-."
Her body tilted forward, long hair cascading like waves, but luckily, she caught herself before falling.
Woo Hana steadied herself and let out a breath as if nothing had happened.
"Whoa, that was close."
Even brushing back her forward-falling hair with the back of her hand looked natural.
"...".
Lee Seol watched for a moment before stepping closer without a word.
Woo Hana's black zip-up had parted slightly from the movement, her inner blouse subtly disheveled. It was already a tight fit on her.
The hallway had more people than expected.
Especially guys sneaking glances as they passed.
Lee Seol fastened the black zip-up for her.
Woo Hana tilted her head to look at her and smiled faintly.
"Thanks."
But some boys passing behind muttered, thinking they wouldn't be heard.
"Whoa, did you see that just now?"
"Her body's insane."
Lee Seol's brows furrowed instantly.
"Ah, those crazy bastards."
Woo Hana grabbed her as she turned to charge at them. A soft, coaxing voice followed.
"Hold back."
"What if someone said that to you?"
"What's the point of dealing with guys like that? I'm used to it."
"That's separate from..."
Lee Seol trailed off. Separate from... what?
She had no comeback if Woo Hana said she was used to it.
Her gaze suddenly swept over Woo Hana.
Hair falling to her waist, sharp features.
Tall, great figure. Long legs stretching from her skirt, silhouette showing through the blouse...
Ah, what's the difference between me and those guys?
Lee Seol shook off the thought.
"Be more careful."
That was all she could say. It sounded like nagging, but it was really worry.
Knowing that, Woo Hana replied nonchalantly.
"Okayyy."
When they actually got to the class, only Lee Minwoo was at the usual spot where Seo Jaehyun's group hung out. The other two must have gone to the snack bar.
Lee Seol felt it was for the best. She adjusted the coat draped over her arm and headed straight to his seat.
But she paused a few steps away. She couldn't help it. She could count on one hand the times she'd properly talked to Lee Minwoo.
And most of those were because of her own mistakes forcing her to speak up. This time wasn't much different.
...Why do I keep getting tangled up with him like this?
Lee Seol quickly cleared her mind and trudged up to where he sat.
She held out the coat and said,
"...Thaanks."
It came out awkwardly even to her, but Lee Minwoo didn't mind. He took the coat and nodded lightly.
"Ah, you brought it. Thanks."
"No need to thank me..."
He hung the coat on the back of his chair.
Then looked at Lee Seol, as if asking if she had more to say.
...She did, but his stare made it hard to bring up. It felt embarrassing for no reason. Lee Seol scratched her cheek awkwardly and said,
"Um... isn't there anything you want? I'm sorry."
She quickly added in case he didn't get it.
"...Should I buy you some clothes or something?"
Lee Minwoo seemed to catch on right away that it referred to the school trip incident. His eyes widened briefly before his expression softened.
"It's fine."
And he smiled. Naturally.
"Clothes again this time."
"Ugh... I didn't know. Why didn't you just ask yesterday?"
"I forgot too. Since it was for Seo Jaehyun."
"Ah, why does that guy borrow other people's clothes..."
"Because he thought of you."
"Hah, even you? If even you're saying this, how much brainwashing has he done?"
A playful vibe mixed into their back-and-forth.
Lee Seol realized something. He's really changed a bit. She'd felt it lately.
It was an extension of vague impressions she'd had before.
He used to be more expressionless, keeping distance. Now he was much softer.
What had changed him? But since she wasn't close to Lee Minwoo, she had no way to know.
The brightest smile she'd seen was from the school trip, which only made it more mysterious.
"Come to think of it, didn't you say you had something to tell me?"
"...Ah."
Lee Minwoo raised his brows like he'd just remembered. The expression looked kind of dumb somehow.
He glanced around his area.
...Looking for Seo Jaehyun and Ji Hyunsu?
Realizing they weren't there, Lee Minwoo spoke more comfortably.
"You joined the Art Club, right?"
"Yeah? Yeah."
Lee Seol nodded reflexively at the unexpected question, then tilted her head.
"Why suddenly?"
"Can you show me the clubroom?"
"Show you the clubroom?"
She wasn't repeating because she hadn't heard. She was curious why.
Simple curiosity.
She couldn't imagine why Lee Minwoo would be interested in the Art Club room.
"Yeah. It's been a while... and I have a few questions."
"You trying to join the Art Club?"
"Not that."
"Then why?"
"A favor. We'll call it even for the clothes thing."
He wasn't going to say why.
"Hmm..."
Curious. Lee Seol wasn't good at holding back curiosity. And it always showed on her face.
Lee Minwoo met her eyes without flinching. He clearly had no intention of telling.
...Lee Minwoo and the Art Club? They don't match at all.
The more she thought, the more curious she got.
But he played his trump card. Linking it to her mistake, and he'd even helped with the performance evaluation...
"Fine."
She had no choice but to agree.
"When should I introduce you?"
"After school?"
They made the plan.
With business done and nothing more to say, Lee Seol turned to leave without lingering. She didn't want to pry for reasons, and if Seo Jaehyun and Ji Hyunsu came back, it'd get annoying.
And as she turned, she spotted Woo Hana, who'd been quietly waiting.
...Whoa. She'd forgotten for a second they'd come together.
But it wasn't her fault. Woo Hana had been unusually quiet.
Normally, she'd chime in with a quip. Playfully, sweetly blending into the mood—something even Lee Seol admired.
As Lee Seol thought that, Lee Minwoo also noticed Woo Hana late. He raised a hand to her.
A casual greeting. With a smile.
"Hey."
Woo Hana went quiet for a moment facing that smile. Really, just a brief pause.
"Yeah, hey?"
Then she greeted back brightly, as if nothing was up. Her voice was normal too.
Woo Hana suddenly spoke up.
"You seem really bright lately. Something good happen?"
It might sound out of the blue.
But Lee Seol had been wondering the same inwardly.
Lee Minwoo tilted his head slightly, gauging the intent, then answered casually.
"Something good... yeah."
"Huh? For real?"
Even Woo Hana was surprised he'd admit it so straightforwardly.
"Why would I lie? But why?"
He was calm. No intent to hide it. That attitude left the questioner speechless.
"No... just looks good seeing you smile more."
Even the great Woo Hana fumbled.
Of course, Woo Hana was different in some way. Maybe she didn't like brushing it off like that.
"Remember when you gave me your umbrella and ran into the rain?"
...Did that happen? Lee Seol, listening from the side, blinked.
Feels kinda weird.
Giving an umbrella and running into the rain... doesn't that feel all tingly?
She wasn't the only one. Her voice wasn't quiet, so nearby classmates glanced over. Laughter died down.
But Lee Minwoo didn't care and replied.
"Yeah. And you gave me chocolate as thanks."
"...You remember."
"How could I forget?"
"...Yeah."
Woo Hana seemed at a loss from his nonchalant response, or maybe holding back.
She pursed her lips briefly, then shook her head.
"Nothing. Let's go, Seol."
"...Huh? Okay."
...What was that?
An alarm blared in Lee Seol's head.
Something's up.
Definitely weird. Feels like something's between them.
Even the surrounding kids holding their breath means it's not just her.
...Does Hana like Minwoo?
It made sense. Why else would Hana suddenly push like that?
And everything she said got shut down by him.
The umbrella story didn't seem huge, but knowing Woo Hana's personality, it was definitely a bold move.
Normally, she wouldn't bring it up. Woo Hana didn't show her feelings easily. Lee Seol knew that best.
So why? Because he was chatting and laughing with her...?
Nah, no way.
On the way back to class, Woo Hana was unusually quiet.
Even sitting down, she looked dazed.
Lee Seol observed her briefly, then shook her head.
...Better not poke at her now.
Woo Hana was mumbling to herself inside.
Failed. Failed. Failed. Failed. Failed. Failed. Failed.
It was incomparable to the dizziness from stumbling in the hall.
All her careful buildup... nearly ruined in one go. No, already ruined.
'Acted all cool and stuff... ugh.'
Honestly, yeah, she'd developed a bit of interest in Lee Minwoo. Just a little.
But it wasn't love or anything dramatic.
Curiosity. Wanting to know more.
Feelings anyone could have once. And controlling them was up to her.
Obviously, since it'd never work out.
Lee Minwoo seemed utterly uninterested in romance to anyone watching. The end was clear.
There was another calculation too.
He showed no interest in the opposite sex anyway. So she figured she could approach after sorting her feelings, and he'd stay put.
But now he was totally different.
Softer speech, kinder, gentler, smiling more.
Laughing while bantering lightly with Lee Seol.
That rubbed her wrong.
'...No matter what!'
Irritated, she blurted it out. The rainy day umbrella story.
She thought it was kinda special, but he acted like nothing.
Almost spilled more.
That smile, soaked in rain, looking at her. Seemed not one he'd show easily.
It was basically screaming he was interested.
Why not just hold up a banner?
Her philosophy: overly obvious flirting just breeds resentment. Show all your cards, then what? Push with?
Woo Hana knew better.
A girl who lays everything out lacks charm. No push-pull, no tension. Leaving no room for him to come to you is strategically worst.
Step back to draw him in, subtly guide his heart... not "here's everything, take it!" Who'd get excited?
So she barely held back.
...But did she really hold back?
Everyone probably figured it out.
Seol too, and the other classmates who heard.