Chapter 239: Look at These Guys?-4
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 239: Look at These Guys?-4
I returned to the classroom alone after finishing lunch.
I sat at my desk, propped my chin on my hand, and idly watched the other kids chatter.
I wondered what could be so funny as they burst into peals of laughter, playfully hitting each other's shoulders while lost in conversation.
They talked about how yesterday’s game went, or what happened on some variety show. They formed bonds over topics I found difficult to relate to.
Perhaps it was because I was full, but a wave of drowsiness washed over me as I spaced out.
I let out a long yawn.
I had resolved to lead a normal school life, but that didn't necessarily mean I intended to build deep friendships with my classmates.
After all, the soul inhabiting this body was in its thirties. My interests were different from theirs, and there was a significant gap in our mental ages.
That was why I felt more at ease when talking to Yun Si-a.
Of course, there was still an age difference between us, but it felt as though the chasm had narrowed.
The warm afternoon sun and a full stomach.
My eyelids gradually grew heavy, and I eventually closed my eyes.
...
...
...
The surroundings grew quiet, and I felt the air settle around me.
I slowly opened my eyes.
The students who had been lounging on desks and chatting were all back in their seats.
And I felt eyes on me. It wasn't just one or two stares like this morning; every single student in the classroom was looking at me.
What’s going on?
My neck ached, likely from propping my chin up for so long.
I leaned back against my chair and stretched.
"Wow, you're really just sleeping right out in the open, aren't you?"
I heard a voice. It sounded both indignant and exasperated.
As my mind cleared, the scene around me came into focus.
The person standing in front of the chalkboard and every student in the room were staring at me.
It seemed I had dozed off and slept right through the start of class.
"...I'm sorry."
The apology slipped out of my mouth automatically.
At my words, the teacher made a bizarre face, looking as if they were staring at a plate of sweet and sour pork smothered in mint chocolate sauce.
The surrounding students also looked surprised. Then again, it was only natural for them to find it strange when the class problem child acted so submissive.
"...Go wash your face."
"Yes, sir."
The teacher tilted his head in confusion a few times at my compliant attitude.
I got up from my seat and stepped out of the classroom.
Walking through the cold hallway toward the restroom, I stretched my stiff muscles.
Having sat in such an awkward position, my body felt unbearably cramped.
"..."
I pointedly ignored Shin Jeong-ah’s gaze, which pricked the side of my head through the classroom window as I passed.
*
By the time the fifth, sixth, and seventh periods were over, it was past 4:30 PM.
Soon, the homeroom teacher I had seen this morning came in to wrap things up, and the school day officially ended at 5:00 PM.
It felt strange to be heading home while the sun was still up.
Back when I was actually in high school, I always went home under the light of the moon.
I slung my bag over one shoulder and stood up.
Today was a day without tutoring. I figured I’d go home, eat some ramen, do my homework, play on the computer for a bit, and then go to bed. It sounded like a perfect plan.
"Are you going home? Let's go to karaoke to celebrate the end of your suspension."
Sure enough, Shin Jeong-ah stuck to my side.
"My throat hurts."
"Then, a comic book cafe?"
Shin Jeong-ah kept talking as she followed me out of the classroom and toward the stairs.
"There's nothing I want to read."
"How about an internet cafe?"
"My MBTI is 'I,' so I have to go home to recharge my social battery."
I kept turning her down as we exited the school building, but then Shin Jeong-ah suddenly came to a dead stop.
"Hey."
I tried to ignore her and keep walking, but her voice was so clearly laced with anger that I had no choice but to stop.
"What?"
Shin Jeong-ah and I faced each other, maintaining a moderate distance.
"...Did we do something wrong to you?"
"No?"
"Then why!!"
Shin Jeong-ah raised her voice.
Her shrill tone drew the attention of the other students leaving the school.
"Is there a show going on? Piss off, you shits."
As my gaze shifted toward the students, Shin Jeong-ah stepped forward and snarled first.
Intimidated by her aggression—and some by the sight of my face next to her—the onlookers backed away.
Shin Jeong-ah walked up to me with quick strides.
She reached out to grab my shoulder, but I avoided her touch by taking half a step back.
"..."
Being rejected seemed to hurt her, as she bit her lower lip.
"You said we'd hang out once your suspension was over... Why are you being like this...!"
She looked at me pleadingly, as if she had naively believed my words.
Seeing her face, which looked like she might cry at any moment, made my heart feel heavy.
However, I already knew that there was nothing worse than offering empty comfort.
"We can't keep living like this forever."
"...Like what?"
Shin Jeong-ah sniffled as she replied.
"Beating kids up, smoking, taking pills... Do you really think this is the right way to live?"
"...What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
"It might be fun now. Doing whatever you want, hitting and bullying people you don't like..."
I turned around and started walking again. I felt Shin Jeong-ah quickly catch up to my side.
"But what happens after graduation? How long do you think this lifestyle will last?"
I continued to speak, as if trying to reason with her, to persuade her.
"..."
I retraced the path I had walked this morning.
I trudged along the well-paved asphalt road.
The school gate was drawing closer.
"Now, of all times?"
I heard Shin Jeong-ah mutter beside me, her voice full of disbelief.
"Better late than never."
I took her words and corrected them.
"...Are you really the one to say that? After doing whatever the hell you wanted... you're just going to wash your hands of it now?"
Whether she was angry that I was distancing myself or not, a thick sense of rage permeated her voice and actions.
"Life is a solo quest, anyway."
I shrugged, fluidly deflecting her anger.
As we reached the school gate, I heard a familiar voice.
"Ah! In-ho."
At the sound of my name being called affectionately from the gate, both Shin Jeong-ah and I turned our heads.
It was Yun Si-a.
Wearing a thin, beige coat, she waved at me happily.
"Teacher? What are you doing here?"
My eyes widened instinctively. Yun Si-a smiled brightly as she walked toward me.
"Oh, Jeong-ah was here too? Hello."
She greeted Jeong-ah cheerfully as well, but there was a zero percent chance that the foul-mooded Shin Jeong-ah would accept it graciously.
"It's not a tutoring day today, is it?"
"I know. Tutoring is tomorrow. I just happened to be passing by and figured it was around the time you'd be getting out, so I waited."
Yun Si-a nodded in response to my question.
"...But are you two on your way to hang out somewhere?"
Yun Si-a’s eyes darted between me and Shin Jeong-ah.
"No. I'm on my way home. Since there's no tutoring today, I'm going to go home, do my homework, and rest."
"How admirable."
Yun Si-a reached out and patted my head a few times.
Shin Jeong-ah narrowed her eyes, watching Yun Si-a’s hand intently.
"We're going the same way, shall we walk together? I'm not interrupting you and Jeong-ah walking home, am I?"
Yun Si-a stood on my other side, opposite Shin Jeong-ah.
"No, she said she's going to go play with her friends."
"Ah... that's a shame. It would have been nice to go together. Well, Jeong-ah, have fun with your 'other' friends. I'll head home with In-ho."
Yun Si-a curled the corners of her mouth into a smile and tapped my shoulder.
"Are you really going home?"
As I took a step forward, Shin Jeong-ah, who had fallen slightly behind, asked as if to confirm.
It was hard to explain, but the feeling was somewhat different from her previous questions.
"I have to."
I repeated what I had said before, and Shin Jeong-ah glanced at Yun Si-a before turning away.
I watched her walk away for a moment without even a goodbye.
I felt bad for being cold, but it couldn't be helped.
If anything, I hoped that seeing my change would lead Shin Jeong-ah onto the right path as well.
*
Shin Jeong-ah, who had fled the scene to escape an immeasurable sense of humiliation, sent a photo to Kim Jin-tae.
It was a photo of Yun Si-a she had taken on the bus once before.
"That bitch."
Shin Jeong-ah spat out a curse, recalling Yun Si-a’s face from a moment ago—the way she had seemed to be subtly mocking her.
As soon as the number '1' next to the photo disappeared, Shin Jeong-ah’s fingers moved busily.
[Tomorrow night. You can do it then, right?]