Chapter 33
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Believe in Me
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Believe in me, right?
We'd just changed into our gym clothes in a different classroom for PE.
In the meantime, the kids from Class 1 of the second-year students had already changed and headed to the auditorium ahead of us. Now it was just me and Chaewon lagging behind.
We walked side by side down an empty hallway, each holding a GoPro.
"I don't think things were like this back in our middle school days."
"Like what?"
"Just overall. Guess times really have changed."
It wasn't so much that I was conscious of the camera in my hand—it was just natural conversation.
The only difference this time was that I was the one who started it, not you.
I glanced sideways at you, and sensing my gaze, you flashed a grin and nudged my shoulder.
"What? That sounds super old-man-ish."
"...You saying I sound like an old man?"
"Old-man trait: They get all 'huh?!' when called out on it."
"Hey, old man."
"As if. You think I'm some idiot who falls for every provocation?"
"True, it'd probably bounce right off. You've been an old man from the start."
"...Hey. That doesn't even—."
Oh crap. You covered your mouth with your hand and shot me a sideways glance.
You looked embarrassed, like even you couldn't believe you'd fallen into the trap in under three seconds, your awkward laugh giving it away.
"So, what's this old-man trait?"
"Look at you, tongue as slippery as an eel?? What, you a snake or something?"
"Snake zodiac, yeah."
"We're doomed. Gotta use this footage for sure."
You shrugged, owning up to your slip-up.
I stole a glance at you as you kept laughing and sighing, then fixed my eyes straight ahead.
"You okay? Not hurting?"
Casual. Like it was no big deal.
I tossed the question out easily.
"You've been quiet all day. And you've been hugging your arms kinda tight."
"Wasn't it just 'cause of math and English?"
"Answer honestly before I check your forehead. You feeling dizzy right now?"
"If you put your hand on me, I'd be the one feeling good......"
"See? You're burning up."
Your cheek, then your forehead.
I stopped in place and gently pressed the back of my hand to each one. The heat was way higher than normal body temp.
"Why didn't you say you were sick?"
My face twisted despite myself.
"Minah, Chaewon's got a fever."
"How long's it been like this?"
"...Dunno. Maybe since math class?"
You gave an awkward laugh and scratched your head when I didn't play along with the jokes.
Arguing more with someone who's sick would just be stupid, so I focused on assessing the situation and asked about symptoms.
"Cold?"
"Been slammed with meetings day and night lately. Outfits, makeup, setlists, stage setups... coordinating with everyone domestic and overseas......"
"So you caught a cold? With a fever this high?"
"...I didn't say much during math, and lying down here would totally kill my pro image."
"Hey, is that the issue right now?"
I pulled my phone from my pants pocket and opened my contacts.
Found the PD's number and hit call. A few rings later, he picked up.
-Yumin?
"Sorry, PD, but Chaewon's right now———."
"Sorry, but could you grab some fever meds and painkillers? Probably in the nurse's office."
You snatched the phone and kept talking in a soft voice.
"Hey, you—!"
"I've got a slight fever. Yeah. Figure meds are the way to go first."
Shh, you mouthed with a bright smile, like it was fine.
Yelling at a sick person or raising my voice where the PD could hear on the line wouldn't help anyone.
I swallowed and shut my mouth.
"Yeah. It's not that bad, so don't worry too much. Yeah. See you at the auditorium."
"...What're you planning to do? You're really sick."
"Gotta film. It's work."
My frown deepened as you handed the phone back.
"You didn't show it at all."
"But you noticed. Guess that's what friends are for?"
"...If I hadn't, you'd have kept it hidden?"
"I'd take the meds. But yeah, keep filming."
"......"
"The kids... they're all focused on college entrance already, competing like crazy. Today's a precious memory for them. Can't ruin it by acting sick."
Exactly.
"So you act normal till the end too? Lunch, then a bit in the afternoon, and we're done."
You punched my shoulder lightly and beamed.
It made me the only one feeling uneasy.
That smile of yours turned me into the worrier, the overreactor. I hated it.
But seeing it, all I could do was bite my lower lip and accept.
Your words made perfect sense, and I knew no argument would sway you.
What's the point of any promise like this?
"Promise. After this, practice room footage next time."
"Depends on my condition."
"Han Chaewon."
"Believe in me just once."
"———."
"Give me one more chance, Minah."
You approached with a faint smile.
Lifted my head to meet your steady gaze...
"Pros get paid. And I'm six years in this game?"
You reached out and straightened my uniform.
"Anyway, you worrying about me is too sweet. Confession?"
"......Han Chaewon, now's not the time for———."
"This time, I'll be on your side for sure. I believe in you."
"———."
"You haven't forgotten, right? How to confess."
You stepped back and turned the GoPro on again.
"Forever, how's my friend? First time seeing him in a black dobok, but doesn't it suit him perfectly?"
That bright smile, like no worries—left me powerless once more.
"...You look good too, Chaewon."
Just that your smile didn't bother me.
Acting your best, like I'd hoped.
All I could do was accept what you'd given me.
I wore a taekwondo dobok; Chaewon, training clothes.
Which meant we'd be teaching the kids taekwondo and dance this PE period.
Honestly, I'd half-expected it when production told us to bring doboks, but who turns down a lesson from a top girl group?
Now that I knew Chaewon's condition, it worried me even more.
"...A lot came?"
Most of the boys, plus even some girls I'd bet wouldn't show—they came to me.
Fewer people for Chaewon was good for me, but 29 out of 40?
Worried for nothing.
"Didn't expect this much interest in taekwondo?"
They'd been messing with me since math—maybe this was an extension. I tossed out a casual probe.
"Wanna blow off stress with kicks."
"Dancing's hard..."
"How'm I supposed to show off fumbling on camera....."
"Perfect chance to settle scores."
"Dobok suits you~."
"Humanity's heritage—I'll reclaim it."
Don't turn me into Lupin, friends.
The reasons got weirder and weirder, drawing a chuckle, but good is good.
"Alright, let's start with light warm-ups."
Got them lined up, did warm-ups, then showed a few kicks they'd like.
Then grabbed pads and ran a real dojo curriculum.
These study-obsessed kids felt awkward kicking at first, but...
As sweat flowed and pad strikes piled up, soon they were engrossed.
Kids were kids, like Chaewon said.
"Now for board breaking. Anyone not wanna?"
Production had prepped stacks of breakboards. Confidence-boosted kids shot hands up, eager.
Their enthusiasm as instructors made us feel great.
I smiled bright, went to the group, and passed out boards.
"Two each, pair up in twos."
"Instructor, pairs won't match then?"
One boy already calling me "instructor" without prompting.
Name's Hyunwoo, by the way.
How do I know? His "settle scores" line stuck, memorized it accidentally.
"One'll pair with me, no worries. Oh, unless someone doesn't wanna with me—."
"M-me! I'll do it...!!"
A girl shut her eyes tight and raised her hand before I finished.
Thanks for the sacrifice.
I rushed to pair her before missing out, but...
"Hoho, what're you saying? Here, class rep me should pair with Yumin oppa......"
"Yumin oppa, wanna learn that kick again? Pair with me?"
Sudden solo alert.
Girls blatantly angling for me—felt the chill (pro term: doomed). Glanced aside...
"...Bro again?"
"Withdrawing all support for Yumin hyung from now on. Yeah. Withdrawn."
"Had to hog it all... to feel satisfied———?!"
"Perfect chance to settle scores."
Boys who'd been all "instructor" turned fiery glares my way.
My fault for not teaching taekwondo spirit first? Bull.
Still, Hyunwoo.
How do people flip like that...?
"Anyone got number 7?"
"Me."
"Pair with me?"
"...Sure. If you want enemy diplomacy."
Heh heh. Literally went "keh keh" while adjusting glasses.
Instantly clocked he'd weathered storms, forged a steel ego...
But what can ya do? High school you watches this vid, inner dark dragon rages—but it's a memory, right?
Handed number 7 a board, drew all eyes.
"Pick a kick we learned, I'll show stance, you hold board there and break."
Demo'd holds per kick, had 7 break one.
Crisp snap, clean break—kids' eyes widened. Eager post-explain, they posed quick.
Command given, breaks rang out across the auditorium.
Chaewon's dance group peeked over, intrigued...
"Cool, huh?"
You caught my eye, thumbs-up and beaming.
Sweatier now, looking worse than before.
But per promise, I smiled back, no sign.
You sensed my worry anyway, smiled brighter.
Brought your group over.
"Sweet. Mood's right. Yumin sunbae nails breaking, burgers for lunch."
"Wooooaaahhh!!!"
Auditorium erupted at sudden burger talk.
All eyes on me; Class 1 chanted my name, cheering.
Kids are kids, I chuckled, grabbed two boards...
"Lemme hold!"
You scurried over, snatched one.
"You sure?"
Eyes met softly, you nodded with faint smile.
"How do I hold?"
"Easy. Just like this."
Arm straight out at head height.
Easy break for flexible folks. Group looked baffled...
Believe in me, right?
My eyes locked on one person.
"Gasp. What's that mean?"
"Even if foot's at your nose, no flinch?"
"Duh, obvious. But to answer......"
Obvious—.
You said it with a bright smile.
"...Gotta repay that trust."
I smiled faintly too, took a board, stepped back from you.
Stopped at planned spot, eyes closed, mental rehearsal.
"First time since high school demo team..."
1 sec. 2. 3.
Opened eyes at set timing, scanned around.
Class 1 lined up watching; crew filming eagerly.
You, arm out, trusting, waiting.
Took it all in, slipped off shoes, exhaled, walked slow.
Steps, position, timing in mind—spun board skyward.
Thud-, crack———!!!
Backflip mid-air, broke it, landed.
Halved board hit ground? Already sprinting at you.
3, 2, 1.
Run-up at exact spot.
Body spun sideways fast.
3.5 turns.
1,260 degrees.
Crack———!!!
Clean heel kick break, landed in back stance.
"...Skipping the kiyah?"
Sheepish head tilt, relaxed pose.
"Wooooaaahhh!!!!"
"Kang Yumin! Kang Yumin!"
Cheers exploded.
"Burgers! Burgers!"
"Thanks for the meal, Chaewon noona!!!"
"Pretty noonas buying lunch ain't drama...!!"
Ah, that's the angle?