Chapter 9
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Core of Change (2)
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Summer vacation passed peacefully without any major incidents.
All I did during the break was increase my part-time hours.
The vacation itself was short, so I couldn't save up a ton of money, but since I went in almost every day, it wasn't an exaggeration to say I'd spent most of it there.
They were too trivial to call events, but pretty much everything happened at the cafe anyway.
"Are you an idol trainee?"
I must have heard that question at least fifty times—without any lies.
Honestly, before this, I'd gotten more asks for my number or if I had a girlfriend.
"You're a student, right?"
"College student? You look like it."
"High schooler."
"Sorry."
After that, it was like rumors had spread somewhere, because the creepy come-ons gave way to plain curiosity.
"There aren't any big agencies around here... are you with a small one...?"
But wouldn't that be rude if I actually were a trainee?
I wasn't some real idol, so getting asked that while making coffee felt a bit ridiculous.
No matter how much I tried not to let it bother me, I was starting to wear down when, thankfully, the short break finally ended.
"Vacation's over now, right? You did great, Minwoo."
The cafe manager sister patted my shoulder like she was proud. Her touch carried genuine praise.
It felt less like how you'd treat a hardworking employee and more like an affectionate little brother.
"Just checking... you're not quitting, are you?"
"I can keep doing my pre-vacation hours."
"Really?"
Her face visibly brightened.
"I didn't think you'd stick around this long. You're so diligent. I paid you well, no skimping... but don't get too comfortable."
And with that, summer vacation ended.
It felt like second semester had just started, but before I knew it, midterms were done.
Three exams total by now.
After this one, I had to admit something.
This body—'Lee Minwoo' before my past-life memories seeped in—seemed pretty talented at Korean literature.
Especially literature. Other subjects like math had slip-ups even with hard study, but not Korean.
Of course, it might just be first-year high school level.
But... the speaker's thoughts clicked easily. Grasping context and inferring emotions came naturally.
Sometimes, reading passages, I'd get the urge to keep going right there. Class kept me in check, though.
Midterms went off without a hitch, and what waited next was the school trip.
Here it comes.
Thinking back to the original story, this had to be the biggest event in first-year high.
With some inexplicable tension, the day arrived.
Destination: domestic.
Assembly was early morning. Summer's heat was fading into cooler weather.
At the school gate, tourist buses lined up long.
Announcement said gather by class, so I headed to our bus.
Too early—only the class president and I were there.
Then.
Tap.
A light hand on my shoulder.
Turning, it was Seo Jaehyun. He'd arrived around the same time.
"Oh, you a model?"
He'd put way more effort into his look than usual. One step up from his normal casual style.
Under the black bucket hat, his eyes curved playfully.
I scanned him up and down.
"Model's you."
I'd brought a jacket just in case, but otherwise it was a light white tee and jeans.
"Heh... if I were taller, I wouldn't get outshined anywhere. Why'd heaven make me instead of Lee Minwoo..."
With Seo Jaehyun as the cue, kids started gathering at the bus like it was planned.
Class president Jeong Suhyun calmly checked names from her list, sending students aboard one by one.
"Why wait outside? Let's board."
"You go first."
"Sure?"
Seo Jaehyun nodded without suspicion and strode up the steps.
Ji Hyunsu, arriving late, gave me a quick greeting and boarded right after.
Soon, most of the class was on, leaving just the homeroom teacher, Jeong Suhyun, and me.
Jeong Suhyun closed her list, tilting her head.
"Why haven't you gotten on?"
"All done? Let's go. Sit with me."
"...With you?"
Her eyebrow arched subtly. Utterly baffled expression.
Seo Jaehyun was obviously sitting with Ji Hyunsu.
Wedged between them? Nothing but noise. Better with the class president—quiet ride.
I looked at her innocently, forcing extra calm.
"Yeah. That's why I waited."
"Uh... I was gonna sit with teacher."
"Teacher can sit alone. Probably prefers it."
Homeroom teacher, overhearing, nodded beside us.
"Yeah, I'm fine. You two sit together."
"Heard that? Let's go."
"Huh? Uh..."
No time to hesitate—I lightly nudged her back.
Sat in the empty front row seat.
Jeong Suhyun hovered in front, like she was debating if she could sit.
I patted the spot beside me impatiently.
She drew a short breath, then reluctantly sat.
"Why only pick on me?"
"Huh?"
"Not like that... you don't usually act like this."
"You're class president."
"Like that's some magic shield..."
"Same club too."
"That's not a club."
It was a self-study group for non-club kids—Jeong Suhyun and I were in it.
She caught on I was just throwing stuff out, sighed long, and shook her head.
"Whatever. This'll cause trouble again. You're taking responsibility... ugh."
Her words trailed off.
"Sigh, fine."
The bus rolled on before stopping at a rest area.
Couldn't avoid Seo Jaehyun even there—got dragged out.
"Why'd you sit up front?"
"Carsick."
"Ah."
Excuse prepped already.
"Can't have that. Fun stuff tonight."
Seo Jaehyun grinned.
"Fun" was obvious.
Booze, duh.
"Not drinking."
"What? How'd you know."
"Obvious."
"Lame."
"Not trying to impress."
Seo Jaehyun, Ji Hyunsu, and I hit the bathroom first, then grabbed snacks for the bus.
I picked a few and paid.
For Jeong Suhyun.
"Can't without you. Seol and Hana are coming too."
Seo Jaehyun pleaded desperately, when Ji Hyunsu piped up like he'd just remembered.
"Speaking of, you and Woo Hana barely talk lately? Weren't you guys kinda close?"
Woo Hana... no clue. Somewhere along the line, we stopped chatting much.
Her unpredictable personality? Figured as much.
Seo Jaehyun propped his chin like he knew.
"Hit a wall like with Lee Minwoo, even I'd give up."
"..."
Ji Hyunsu turned, staring at him.
"Guys have you, girls have Lee Seol."
"Shut it. My Seol's different."
"Hm, no hope anyway."
From this angle, Ji Hyunsu wasn't wrong.
Seo Jaehyun and Lee Seol? No progress visible.
Not this time, though.
Arrived at destination around lunch.
Ate, wandered the nearby theme park freely, then headed to lodging.
Rooms pre-assigned, but swaps seemed in play.
Party-all-nighters vs. early sleepers. Split that way.
I got stuck with Seo Jaehyun. Switching rooms? Tough with him clinging.
Schedule: dinner, then student council program.
Recreation tomorrow night.
I quietly finished dinner, returned to the dorm early.
'Good.'
I'd avoided meddling with the protagonist crew as much as possible. Time arrived.
Student council event.
Guts test.
Held on the mountain trail behind lodging—council pushed it a bit.
Trail wasn't super frequented.
That's where it goes down.
During the test, Lee Seol gets lost.
Seo Jaehyun finds her.
Sparks their shared forgotten memory: her getting lost at an amusement park as a kid.
...That memory's gone from this timeline thanks to me.
"Guys, time! Gather on the first floor!"
"Let's go."
Seo Jaehyun tapped me from beside.
Snapped back.
"Ever done a guts test?"
"Nope."
"I did one in middle school retreat."
No sooner said, Ji Hyunsu joined.
"Didn't you cry then?"
"No, saw a real ghost."
"Bull."
Chatting like that, we gathered downstairs.
Lobby had groups milling about.
"Who you pairing with?"
"Class prez."
"Huh? Jeong Suhyun cool with it?"
"Said yes."
"Hm."
Seo Jaehyun scratched his jaw, tilting his head.
Spotted Jeong Suhyun descending stairs amid girls.
Raised my hand; she hesitated, then approached.
Seo Jaehyun muttered watching.
"Bold, making guy-girl pairs..."
"You do it."
"Nah, Seol's different class."
He said it himself, regret flashing across his face.