Class Tees, Arm Wrestling, and Tied Legs
The sports festival had been just a fleeting worry, but as expected, it was nothing to fret over. U Hana was exactly the same as always. Waiting for me first at our usual spot, greeting me with a bright smile the moment we met.
On our early morning walk to school, U Hana suddenly brought it up.
"Oh yeah, I didn't tell you... I'm joining the theater club?"
I couldn't help but raise a question mark. After all, the theater club—Yeoul—wasn't open to second-years. Though I wasn't one to talk, having joined as a second-year myself.
"...How?"
"I asked Choi Dong-rak."
"Choi Dong... Oh, right?"
Choi Dong-rak had more influence in Yeoul than I'd realized. He was a second-year now, and he'd been adapting scripts for the winter break performance since his first year, showing real talent. Plus, his script for the festival's main show had been selected through auditions, so it wasn't surprising that his word carried weight in the club.
But... were U Hana and Choi Dong-rak even acquainted?
Ah. It hit me. The after-party after Yeoul's performance. She'd talked quite a bit with him then. Had they gotten close already?
Her social skills were almost scary.
Come to think of it, the same had happened with my sister Lee Da-kyung. She'd casually mentioned U Hana the other day. Apparently, U Hana had started working at the cafe where I was part-timing, and after inviting her friends over to hang out, she'd taken good care of them.
"Isn't it wild? But they said I couldn't do acting or directing, so I went for the stage props team."
"Were you into theater?"
"I watched the winter break show last time, and it looked fun. The people were great too."
"What about your old club?"
"That one was super laid-back anyway, so no one cared."
"Your teacher?"
"She said it's fine since I found something I wanna do, even if it's late."
"Gotcha."
Her answers flowed out so smoothly, like she'd prepared them all. There was nothing left to ask. It made me wonder if switching clubs was always this easy, but thinking it over, it wasn't that strange. The school had a pretty relaxed, free vibe overall.
Of course, the final approval came down to the club, but Choi Dong-rak had probably handled that smoothly. Yeoul was just starting to finalize scripts and had taken in new members, so they weren't deep into anything yet.
With that, I nodded to myself, convinced enough.
"Cool, then we can head to club time together every day."
"Right? Sounds fun."
U Hana grinned like she was already looking forward to it, her eyes crinkling lightly, her voice laced with excitement. Even over something trivial, her reactions brimmed with energy.
In moments like these, it really sank in. U Hana slipped into people's lives so naturally.
*
Filming for Eighteen's Temperature had wrapped, and my routine visits to the agency on weekends—punching the clock like an employee—had tapered off.
And where was I standing now? Right at the front of Class 4's second-year classroom.
All the kids were seated, and I was soaking up dozens of stares from the teacher's desk.
Next to me was the class president, Yun Seo-ha. Both of us out of uniform.
We were wearing the class tees that had just arrived. Made for the sports festival. Black base with red floral patterns. The kids were dying to see how they'd fit, so someone suggested a model, and by near-unanimous vote, I got picked.
The girls had apparently roped in Yun Seo-ha. Being class president made it inevitable. Though for someone in her position, she showed zero change in expression wearing it.
If it'd been someone like Lee Seol, she'd have thrown a fit about being embarrassed.
"Our class tees turned out great, huh?"
"See? Told you. Stuff like this is better."
"It's 'cause Min-woo and Seo-ha are modeling. Models make anything look good."
"Where's the vice pres?"
"Bolted to the bathroom right after lunch. Probably taking a dump."
"Ugh, shut up."
"Gross."
"Not everyone's built the same... Move. Lemme try one on too."
One guy grabbed a packaged tee and headed out.
"Why's he off to die alone."
"Let him. Probably wanted to."
As the oohing and aahing wrapped up, Yun Seo-ha spoke up like she was checking off a to-do.
"Now we gotta decide who's doing what events. Starting with individual sign-ups."
She already had a sheet of paper in hand.
She scanned the list and read them off one by one.
Individual events: sprints, jump rope, basketball free throws, etc.
"Arm wrestling... Anyone?"
So why was I still standing there next to Yun Seo-ha, taking sign-ups?
How long was this vice pres gonna be in the bathroom?
"Lee Min-woo for sure."
"Seconded."
"With that build, it'd be rude not to."
I'd been standing there awkwardly, and boom—arm wrestling it was.
Maybe it was inevitable.
For starters, my height was up to 187cm now. Not skinny either. My frame matched the height, solidly built, with natural muscle showing even through clothes.
I hadn't done any specific training since my only role so far was a student, but still. I knew it. This was just genetic luck.
I wasn't sure if that meant actual strength, but it sure looked the part.
Anyway, not wanting to seem like I hated the sports fest, I'd planned to sign up for one individual and one team event.
And just like that, my individual event was set.
Team events: relay, tug-of-war, soccer, balloon popping, three-legged race, etc.
Almost all the guys joined soccer. I sat that one out.
"Three-legged race?"
"Me!"
The hand shot up the second Yun Seo-ha asked. U Hana, without a hint of hesitation. Like she'd planned it from the start.
And I, standing next to Yun Seo-ha, raised my hand too.
"Ooh?"
The class eyed U Hana and me back and forth with intrigued looks.
I got why it looked weird—us two raising hands right after she called it. But we'd already coordinated on the way to school.
"You two?"
Yun Seo-ha asked beside me. I nodded.
Before I could explain, U Hana jumped in smoothly.
"Min-woo was stressing about doing at least one event. So I said let's do it together."
The class nodded, buying it quick. Like I'd mulled over a team-friendly event without actor-diva-ing out. Fair enough.
U Hana played it cool, like nothing happened. She caught my eye and beamed, like Good job, right?
Then the classroom door opened. The guy who'd taken a tee earlier came back—in his uniform still.
He looked dead serious.
"Guys, we're screwed."
"What? Why didn't you change?"
"Tried it on in the bathroom, checked the mirror. Anyway, we're fucked. Think we got the wrong tees."
"It's not the tees that are wrong..."
"Hey hey, stop there."
"No, idiots. You think it's just me? This isn't the time to swoon over Lee Min-woo in his. We need refunds now."
"..."
But refunds weren't happening now, and once team events were set, the room buzzed back to chaos.
I turned to ditch the tee and change back into uniform, heading for the bathroom. Then a voice called from behind.
"Min-woo."
Turning, a few girls from class approached, phones out.
Yun Seo-ha, who'd been behind me, had vanished to her seat like a ghost. ...Fast as ever.
"This is from earlier. Can I post it to my story?"
The screen showed me in the tee with an awkward face.
The class cracking up around me. Not mocking—just capturing the rowdy, light vibe.
"Yeah, go ahead."
"For real? Cool?"
"Sure, no prob."
I nodded and brushed past.
Then silky hair swished in front, blocking me. U Hana, grinning.
"Looks good on you?"
Her face screamed teasing over me modeling solo.
Still, it was different from before. No pretending not to know me at school, no over-the-top distancing. She'd taken my words to heart.
"Like it?"
"Dunno. But I'm thinking of wearing mine around. Just worried it'll make me look... chubby."
Chubby? Miles off. Catching my gaze, she beckoned me closer.
...Huh? I leaned in, and she whispered.
"Wanna know why?"
Her tone was like spilling state secrets. I nodded.
"But... not now. Later."
"..."
Was that a promise or more teasing?
U Hana smirked, pleased with my reaction.
I pulled back, glanced around, and asked.
"Where's your tee now?"
"Why?"
"Lemme help you into it."
"No way."
No sooner had she refused than a weird noise erupted nearby.
"Wha-wha-what."
Seo Jae-hyun stood there, shocked like he'd overheard the unthinkable.
"Undress and dress her up?"
I nearly laughed in disbelief.
Obviously a joke. Just payback for her teasing me modeling alone.
But Seo Jae-hyun's face hardened, and he apologized.
"...Sorry."
His playful vibe evaporated. He knew it was banter, but...
I glanced over. U Hana stared at him blankly. That's why he'd apologized quick.
Her usual smile hid it, but stone-faced, she had a pretty cold aura.
"That... undress and whatever was a bit much, right?"
At his cautious apology, U Hana's blank face bloomed into a grin. Playful-like.
"Jae-hyun, eavesdropping on whispers, twisting them weirdly..."
"Wasn't eavesdropping..."
The "dress her" part came after.
U Hana spun away like it was nothing.
"Gonna tell Seol."
"Wait, no. Please."