Midterms (2)
How did things end up like this?
I was definitely supposed to go to the gym today to help Sung practice for his upcoming tournament.
I had expected Kim Dahi to tag along. Those two basically came as a package deal.
But then, out of nowhere, Pina said she wanted to walk home with me. Did she say that friends are supposed to walk home together?
Naturally, Dahi, who had been dying to get closer to Pina, wasn't about to let this opportunity slip by. She coaxed Pina with some nonsense, and Pina, who was far more innocent than she looked, fell for it hook, line, and sinker.
I guess walking home with Pina is a good thing, right?
In any case, right now, Pina was on my left, while Sung and Dahi were on my right.
The atmosphere was incredibly awkward. Seriously, someone please break this tension.
"Come to think of it, Hanbyul, how long did you say you've been doing judo?"
It seemed Pina hated the awkward silence just as much as I did. She was trying to say anything just to break the ice.
Her eyes had been darting around nervously just a moment ago, but now they sparkled as if she had just hit upon a brilliant idea.
"Probably about seven years. Right, Sung?"
"Yeah, sounds about right. We started back in the third grade."
"That's a really long time. It's kind of amazing."
Pina looked back and forth between Sung and me, her eyes wide with genuine wonder. I suppose doing a single sport for seven years is quite a long time.
As we walked, Dahi, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally chimed in.
"Right? Our Sung is pretty amazing, isn't he?"
"Hey, Kim Dahi, stop exaggerating."
"She's right, Dahi. There are plenty of people who do sports for years nowadays."
Dahi was suddenly bragging about Sung, but Sung was a naturally humble guy.
He was the type who couldn't handle compliments or admiration well. True to form, he was blushing furiously right now.
I still couldn't get used to seeing that intimidating face of his turn bright red from embarrassment.
"No, really. I think it's truly admirable to stick with something so consistently."
Pina disagreed with our modesty, speaking up to defend her point.
Seeing the earnest sparkle in her eyes, it was clear she wasn't just being polite—she genuinely meant it.
"Exactly! Pina, you're as smart as you are pretty!"
"Hey! Lee Hanbyul, Pina says it's impressive! Who are you to say otherwise?"
"And you too, Sung! If I say you're amazing, then you're amazing! Got it?"
Dahi was riding high on Pina's support, acting all smug.
Would it count as assault if I hit her right now? She's being so annoying...
And who was she to call Pina by her first name so casually anyway?
"Kim Dahi, don't call Pina by her name so casually."
"What? Who are you to tell me that?"
"Pina doesn't like people using her name so casually."
"Pinaaa~ Am I not allowed to call you by your name?"
Look at her trying to act cute. It was sickening.
I wish I could sew her mouth shut.
"Yes, it is still a bit uncomfortable."
"Heeing...? 'Still'?"
"Yes. For now, at least."
Huh? "For now"? Pina, I think you misspoke.
"Does 'for now' mean I can call you that later?"
"Only if we get to know each other better. I don't know what kind of person you are yet, Miss Dahi, and the same goes for you regarding me."
"So, that's why I say 'for now.'"
"Pinaaa~!"
"Please don't cling to me. And don't hug me either!"
Pina had changed a little. When I first met her, she pushed everyone away.
But not anymore. She didn't take the first step, but at least she didn't shut people out completely.
She was willing to give it time to get to know the other person.
If this change was because of me...
"Pina, is this perhaps because of..."
"Yes, that's right. It's because of you, Hanbyul."
"You told me you'd make me believe in people again, and that you would never betray me."
"Since I decided to believe those words, I should make at least a small effort to change too."
It really was because of me. She had truly decided to trust me.
Oh my god, I was so touched I felt like crying.
"Lee Hanbyul said something like that? That guy who's denser than a bear? Who even are you?"
"So Hanbyul said that. As your older brother, I'm glad to see you've grown."
Give me back my emotional moment, you damn lifelong enemies.
"Park Sung, since when were you my brother? I don't have a brother like you."
"And Kim Dahi, who do you think I am? Save your nonsense for later."
"You three really seem close."
"Seeing how the usually talkative Hanbyul can't even say a word when he's being teased."
Pina laughed, showing her teeth, looking genuinely happy.
Seeing her smile made me happy, so I laughed along. Of course, Dahi and Sung laughed too.
At least in this moment, all four of us were just happy and laughing together.
I didn't know why. Was it because Pina smiled, or was it just because the atmosphere of the four of us being together felt so good?
After laughing and chatting for a while, we had almost reached the gym.
It was a shame, but it was time for Pina to head home.
"Pina, can't you stop by the gym with us before you go home?"
Dahi whined, holding onto Pina. It seemed Pina had given up on the name thing for now.
Then again, when Dahi started throwing a tantrum, the only people who could stop her were my aunt or Sung.
Still, Pina drew the line here, politely declining Dahi's request (which was basically a tantrum) with an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry. I have things to do at home, and I need to study. If you invite me again next time when you have the chance, I'll definitely go then."
"Really? It's a promise! I never forget things like this!"
"Yes, haha. I'll really go next time."
"Yes! I get to hang out with Pina again!"
"But Pina, you're really diligent. Studying even after you get home."
Even I had to admit she was diligent. School alone was exhausting enough, but she was going home to study even more. Impressive.
However, Pina's reaction was strange. She looked puzzled by Dahi's words.
"Well... I just do some daily review. Don't you study too, Miss Dahi?"
"Huh? I don't review."
"No, I don't mean just review. Midterms are in three weeks. Are you okay not preparing for them?"
"Huh? Midterms?"
"Yes, midterms."
"Three weeks?"
"Yes, in three weeks."
"Don't tell me, Miss Dahi... Hanbyul... you two didn't..."
"Dahi, Hanbyul, tell me it's not true."
"Why are midterms already here?!"
Seriously, how long has it even been since school started for midterms to be here already?
I really had no idea. It had only been about a month and a half since I became a high schooler... wait, has it already been that long?!
"The teacher told us last time."
Now that she mentioned it, I did feel like the teacher said something during morning homeroom.
"Looking at your face, you have no memory of it, do you? Lee Hanbyul."
Hearing her call me by my full name was actually kind of scary...
She usually called me "Hanbyul," but suddenly dropping the casual tone and using my full name reminded me of the Pina I first met.
"Did he mention it during homeroom last week?"
"So you do remember."
"Sorry, I don't remember what he actually said."
"Why?"
"I pulled an all-nighter the night before, so I was tuning him out."
"Are you stupid?"
"Ugh."
Pina, calling me stupid right to my face is a bit harsh...
On my end, I was getting completely scolded by Pina.
She nagged me about how paying attention during homeroom was basic common sense and told me to go to sleep early.
Meanwhile, Sung was scolding Dahi.
Sung was basically a model student, whereas Dahi was lazy to the bone.
"Dahi, how could you forget that?"
"I told you about it last week."
"Sorry... I remember hearing it, but to be honest, I forgot all about it until Pina mentioned it... I'm sorry."
"Sung, are you mad?"
"It's not that I'm mad, it's just... I'm at a loss."
"Huh? At a loss?"
"I made a promise to your mom. If your grades are bad this time, we aren't allowed to go on dates for a while."
"Huh?!! When? Why?!"
"If your grades are low, you'll probably be grounded."
My aunt really pulled out the big guns. Then again, Dahi played around so much in middle school that she almost didn't get into our high school because of her grades. My aunt had been completely dumbfounded back then.
"Hanbyul? Is it okay for you to be spacing out while I'm scolding you?"
Well, I was in deep trouble here too.
What am I going to do about midterms?
After managing to appease Pina, we sent her home.
Dahi also headed home after Sung firmly told her to go back and study.
Since Sung and I were already at the gym, we went inside to practice for his tournament.
"Sung, what should I do?"
"About what?"
"Midterms."
"Hanbyul, your grades are fine."
"Why is the guy with the best grades out of all of us worrying?"
"Sorry, to be honest, I'm not actually worried."
It might sound a bit obnoxious, but I was naturally good at studying. Maybe I inherited it from my late parents, but I rarely stressed over grades compared to kids my age.
"More than that, I'm worried about Dahi."
"Dahi?"
"Yeah. It's not that she's stupid, she just doesn't study."
"True."
Dahi was actually pretty smart. She just didn't study. Like, catastrophically so.
That was why her grades were always at the bottom.
"Hanbyul, help me out."
"No."
"Just this once."
"I'll buy you meat."
"Do you think I'm the kind of guy who can be bought with a single meal of meat... because I absolutely am."
Honestly, who could say no to meat?