New Semester (2)
In my packed schedule, the only times I could catch my breath were the early morning walk to school and club hours.
The club members seemed to sense that I was already swamped with stuff, so they left me alone while we were in the clubroom.
It was like they were saying, don't bother him and make it worse with their glances if anyone tried chatting me up.
Anyway, right after the new semester started, I'd gone to see Lee Na-hee and joined Yeoul. That was just a little while ago.
The reason Yeoul doesn't take second-years is because they prepare step by step for one big performance starting from first year.
Even that small winter break show was just part of the process.
The real deal was separate: the school festival stage.
For that stage, the acting team builds basics from vocalization to physicality, while the directing team holds a script contest and picks through auditions.
It was a performance made entirely by students, from start to finish.
So me jumping in midway felt a bit awkward.
But luckily, the timing wasn't terrible.
The script had just come out, and actor auditions hadn't started yet.
"If you want to get on stage, just nail the audition and claim a role fair and square!"
Lee Na-hee, who was club president again this year, said brightly.
But given my situation, diving into auditions felt iffy. I might get pulled into another project anytime.
"What if I help out the people who land roles instead?"
Her eyes lit up.
"Oh… that's good. No, perfect! Me first!"
At first, I'd thought getting on stage would build my experience.
I hadn't expected Eighteen's Temperature to blow up so much that I'd be lined up for sequels nonstop.
Still…
Chances to feel that past-life vibe don't come often.
This world was like my previous one, but subtly different somehow.
That's why I loved that band.
It was obviously modeled after a famous band from my past life, capturing that exact unique vibe.
"See you at club time."
Lee Na-hee waved lightly, shooing me out.
She looked super busy even now. She'd been poring over membership applications alone before I came in.
I'd heard they'd finished promoting to first-years, and then applications flooded in.
According to Choi Dong-rak, it was all because of me. Word got out I was joining the theater club.
But President Lee Na-hee wasn't the type to just be thrilled about numbers. She loved Yeoul more than anyone.
She didn't want a big club for the sake of size—she wanted one filled with people who genuinely loved theater.
That's why she was staying late alone, reading every single application.
Made me feel kinda guilty.
"What? More to say?"
"Want me to help?"
I pointed at the stack of applications behind her.
"Ah… no, it's fine."
Figured as much.
"I'm the only newbie so far, right? Put me to work."
She shook her head, looking troubled.
"Nah, if word gets out, the others will come at me."
Lately, it felt like overprotectiveness. Everyone was going out of their way to accommodate me.
That's why I'd introduced myself first at the post-show party—to avoid that.
Of course, it was nice in a way. That atmosphere itself made club time relaxing.
"Can't you clamp down with presidential power?"
"…I can't. I don't have that kind of authority…"
She looked so pitiful.
"Then I won't tell anyone."
"You think I'd blab? 'Min-woo helped me out'…"
"…"
Knowing her own sloppiness that well and still looking so sloppy—it was almost a talent.
"…"
"…"
A few seconds of staring contest.
Her eyes started wavering first.
"Uh… you leaving or what?"
"If you say go, I go. If you ask for help, I'll help as much as I can."
"O-okay. Help me."
I won.
Pretty ironic, since I'd told her to use her presidential power.
"We just need to filter out the ones worth interviewing properly, right?"
"Yeah."
For over an hour after that, we sorted applications together before leaving the clubroom.
She insisted on handling the rest herself, so I ended up leaving alone.
The hallways were empty, most students gone home.
Come to think of it, staying this late was rare lately. With all the early dismissals for work.
Hmm… last time I stayed this long was practicing painting for Eighteen's Temperature, right?
As I slung my bag over my shoulder and headed out,
I ran into someone who hadn't gone home yet. Shoulder bag and art supply tube both slung over one shoulder.
"Why're you still at school?"
Approaching Lee Seol, she finally noticed me.
"…Had stuff to do in the clubroom. Second year means more work."
"Oh, I was just in mine too."
"Yeah."
"…"
Conversation just… dropped.
Her tone felt extra prickly.
More than before.
What's up with her lately?
Getting pricklier the closer we get? …Was she? Nah.
I pondered for a sec. Couldn't quite recall her original personality well.
Made sense—I'd actually hung out with her a bunch, layering real impressions over the original image.
When we weren't close, it was all from the source material.
…Not a big deal anyway.
"Something up?"
"If there is… what're you gonna do?"
"Just asking."
She realized how weird that sounded, looking dumbfounded.
She stood there blank for a moment, then rubbed her head.
"Ah…"
Shook her head.
"You can be weirdly sweet sometimes."
"Insult or compliment?"
"That face thing. Do your looks some justice. Like that trending Tet-something."
"I'm more of an 'egg-nam' guy."
"……Admitting it so straightforwardly leaves me speechless."
She muttered, deflated, and stepped back.
"Can't walk with a celeb, so I'm out first."
"…"
I got she was being cautious, but it felt off somehow.
I quickly cut in front of her as she tried to go ahead.
"Hey."
Our eyes locked closer than expected, and hers went wide.
"Eekwhatthafu—?!"
"…You see a ghost or what?"
She jolted back so hard I grabbed her arm reflexively to keep her from falling… but then she started spasming and making weird noises, which creeped me out more.
"Ugh, cut it out!"
She yanked her arm away, scowling.
"Why scare people like that."
"I didn't…"
I was stumped. Had I done anything that startling?
"You don't have to baby me…"
I stepped back and stopped.
"See ya."
She caught the drop in my tone and peeked back as she walked away.
Glancing like she felt bad.
"……No, I really got spooked."
"Yeah, sure. Got it."
"Heart's not great."
"I'll be more careful then."
She hesitated.
"…Going?"
I waved lightly.
"You first."
She finally nodded and turned.
Her back slowly faded down the hall.
As I mentioned earlier, in my hectic schedule, the morning commute was the one chill time.
Leaving a bit earlier than others, strolling the quiet path to school.
A little ways from home, U Hana would be waiting.
She'd texted a few times before asking where I was, but now our timings synced naturally.
U Hana was so sociable we didn't need much talk—just walking side by side brought this harmless peace.
A new routine formed naturally with the semester.
But today, it broke.
I knew the second I woke up. …Late.
Grabbed my phone in a panic—still time to wash up quick and not be too late.
I sighed, rubbing my face.
Blame staying up late with the script for the emotional scene coming up.
I bolted up from bed but paused, phone in hand again.
Checked messages—yep, from U Hana.
That was it. One message and one missed call.
…She went ahead? Probably.
I got up and called her.