episode_0012

12.

The so-called ‘Sofa Thud!’ incident was one of the worst events of the 21st century, but its conclusion was disappointingly anticlimactic.

Contrary to expectations that she would leave feeling upset, Han Hyojin, who arrived late, seemed no different from usual.

Despite my apologies, she brushed it off as fine. Thanks to that, we ended up awkwardly sitting in silence and then heading back home after a long time.

The biggest issue here is that even a week later, I still couldn’t figure out why Han Hyojin left.

“It’s hard to see it as her being upset…”

I observed Han Hyojin for the next few days. She didn’t crack any dirty jokes for two days after the ‘Sofa Thud!’ incident.

Perhaps the fear of jokes turning into reality had left an impression, or I still thought she was in a troubled state of mind.

However, recently, Han Hyojin subtly hinted at what she wanted from me. It would have been impossible if she was upset.

– “I want to experience it standing up this time, not just sitting on the sofa….”

– “Doesn’t the protagonist in this video look somewhat like me? Although the features and chest size are slightly smaller… Hmm… I haven’t said I want to experience the same situation as the protagonist.”

– “Today’s film club activity involves watching and writing a review of the animated film ‘Gal Princess Cursed by Jupak and the Holy Sword Knight.’ I didn’t bring it because I liked how the female lead was tied up by the villain.”

Thinking about it, it wasn’t subtle at all; it was quite obvious.

Even now, thinking back to that moment gave me a fluttering feeling in my chest.

Anyway, judging from her behavior, I could conclude that Han Hyojin didn’t dislike it at least.

“So why exactly….”

Embarrassment? No.

Anger or shame? No.

“Could it be that she’s too happy…?”

Hmm… That’s nonsense.

How many women would appreciate exchanging breaths with a heartless man?

Unless judgment and sanity were compromised…. Upon delving deeper, it became apparent that Han Hyojin was somewhat out of sync.

“One thing’s for sure. If I fulfill what Han Hyojin wants once more, the reason for her leaving will undoubtedly become clear.”

However, Han Hyojin’s expectations were a bit extreme. If I casually fulfilled them, it could lead to negative consequences for both of us, fostering bad habits.

“So. If I were to do it, it should be when the desire is weak, or when the timing is perfect and the book isn’t catching your interest.”

Well, in reality, I’m a coward compared to Han Hyojin’s words. Even if it were possible, I would probably hesitate or withdraw after teasing a bit.

After all, thoughts were always free.

Shrugging my shoulders and putting an end to my thoughts, the bell rang loudly above my head, signaling the end of the class.

“Yaaay!”

“Teacher! The class is over~!”

“Let’s go home! Teacher, you should leave work too! Woohoo!”

Students shouted enthusiastically from all corners.

The history teacher standing at the podium chuckled and closed the textbook.

“We’ll finish today’s lesson. And teachers don’t get to leave work when school ends.”

“This school is messed up~ Let’s start a revolution together since we’ll raise our voices! Students who study hard, leave school at 3 o’clock sharp! Teachers who taught diligently also leave with the students! How about that!?”

“Student Park Jinju, please wipe the drool off your mouth before speaking. So even if you start a revolution, you go home at 4 o’clock.”

The classroom erupted in laughter at his words.

With a satisfied smile from his joke, the history teacher chuckled and moved away.

Then, as he was about to pass through the front door, he suddenly stopped.

“Do you all know that next week is the midterm exam? History will cover pages 48 to 127. If you review everything, you’ll all score 100 out of 100.”

“Wow! Teacher, your last joke was lame.”

“It was hilarious to me.”

The history teacher finally crossed the threshold, but then, as if he remembered something, he stuck his head out from outside the door and said.

“Mr. Song Min-ah needs to water the garden, so we won’t have homeroom today. Finish packing up and head straight home without wandering around. I’ll really go.”

“Yes! Thank you for your hard work!”

“Oh, right! Also, scoring below 40 on the test means failing, so instead of club activities during summer vacation or after school, you’ll study with us…!”

“Teacher! We got it, so can we leave now?”

After a brief commotion, the students noisily left the classroom.

I sat in the classroom for a while.

‘Midterm exams….’

They were usually held around mid to late April.

The sudden interest was due to the failing grade mentioned by the history teacher and the upcoming studies.

For a struggling student living alone, nothing was as painful as losing after-school and summer vacations.

‘I’m sure my average score last year was in the 50s.’

I fluctuated between grades 5 and 6. It was satisfactory as it was typical, but one wrong move could bring me below 40 points.

‘Should I study…’

Even though I had graduated from high school and college, studying remained a challenge.

Not knowing how to enjoy or make an effort, I quickly forgot many things.

Just looking at getting a grade 5 or 6…

“Sigh.”

I clicked my tongue bitterly.

Sorry… I promised not to do this again….

Cry, hell pen something or other.

Muttering silently, I got up from my seat.

As I grabbed my bag and left the classroom, Park A-yeong was leaning against the back corridor wall.

“Why are you coming out so late?”

“Just thinking for a moment.”

“What are you thinking about? Worried? Want to talk about it?”

“It’s okay, it’s not a serious issue…”

Without finishing my sentence, a fact came to mind.

Park A-yeong was the top student in the second year.

“No, tell me.”

“Sure! I’ll listen to anything! Feel free to talk!”

“Then, without further ado…”

I briefly explained my situation.

Midterms, failing grades, all the way to my scores. After hearing everything, Park A-yeong nodded.

“You’re worried about the midterm scores?”

“Yeah.”

“Even if you didn’t sleep in class… would you really be bothered by such useless worries?”

“Don’t hit me with facts so bluntly.”

“Sorry, but Jin-woo needs more than that. And these days, you haven’t been reviewing or previewing with the student council, right?”

“I never did that anyway.”

Park A-yeong lightly punched my arm.

“Boasting.”

“Sorry….”

“Don’t apologize to me, apologize to Jin-woo’s future scores.”

“Sorry… about the scores.”

As I muttered self-deprecatingly, Park A-yeong stared at me sternly.

“It seems like Jin-woo is reflecting… Well, I guess I can’t help it. I’ll help you study.”

“No, A-yeong, you need to study too.”

“I’ve already reviewed and previewed everything for the exam. I’m confident I’ll be the top student even if I take the test now, so should I worry about Jin-woo?”

“Okay…”

I agreed briefly. Park A-yeong let out a satisfied huff.

“Great! Let’s start studying from the moment we return to the student council room, okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Our goal is above 50 points! Let’s aim for at least a grade 4! Got it? Answer me!”

“Yeah, yeah…”

“We need to be energetic! Why are you so low on energy!”

It felt like awakening something that shouldn’t be awakened.

***

“I understand the situation. But why study in the student council room instead of the library? Surely the situation isn’t what it seems.”

Ignoring the trailing words, Park A-yeong replied succinctly.

“The student council room is noisier than the library. I thought that studying in a chaotic environment would be more helpful, considering all possibilities.”

“Hmm… quite methodical.”

“To improve grades quickly, you have to be methodical! Oh! Student Do Jin-woo! Don’t turn your gaze towards us, focus on the problems!”

Feeling embarrassed, I shook and turned my body.

It happened just as I was shifting my gaze.

Even the back of my head seemed to tingle as if eyes were fixed there.

I wet my dry lips with saliva and opened them.

“My concentration is so volatile… If I focus for an hour and a half, it all disappears… right?”

It was mostly an excuse.

“Huh? Have we already been at this for an hour and a half?”

“Yes….”

“But I only asked you to look at the problem. How do you know the time, Jinwoo? At this rate, we’ll have to extend it by two hours as punishment…”

“Oh….”

As a sigh escaped involuntarily from his lips, Park Ayoung’s stern expression softened.

“Just kidding. If Jinwoo, who falls asleep as soon as he opens a book, lasted an hour, then that’s quite an accomplishment. Get up, stretch a bit, take a breather.”

“Wow….”

After a feeble cheer, bodies relaxed immediately.

Watching, Lee Soobin shook her head slightly and chided Park Ayoung.

“Don’t torment our junior, Jinwoo. He might have weak concentration, weak willpower, and might not be good at studying. If sweet talk could improve him, he would have improved long ago, so don’t torment him too much.”

“…Was that a veiled jab on my behalf?”

“Huh? I was just trying to help the senior?”

“Where do you see this kid?”

Exhaling a breath full of stress, Han Hyojin alternated between looking at Lee Soobin and Park Ayoung.

Meeting my gaze, Han Hyojin narrowed her eyes first and responded.

“What’s with that challenging and meaningful gaze? Are you planning something violent against me? Like in an erotic doujinshi.”

“I was seriously close to saying something violent. Please be careful.”

Despite that response, Han Hyojin maintained a face that seemed to say, “You know what? Do whatever you want.” It was like giving up on breaking through a thick steel plate.

Then she brought up the main point.

“Do President and Subin not study? I’ve never seen the two of them reading books or solving problems while living in the student council room.”

“Study? Those weaklings.”

“Oh? Is the President in the same department as me?”

The answer to that question came from Park Ayoung.

“The President really doesn’t study much… but she has never missed being the top student in the school. Even if she casually listens in class, she has no trouble applying it to solve other problems…”

“…”

Why are you lying?

Lee Soobin’s voice rang out directly, leaving me dumbfounded.

“I don’t study separately either~ If you just pay attention in class, there’s no need to study separately~ All the problems come from the lessons.”

“If you’re like that, it annoys me.”

“Why!”

“The President… Just think of her as a teacher’s pet, and it’s fine, but Subin, you’re in the same department as me!”

“No, I’m not!”

“What do you mean you’re not! Going out with friends all the time! What’s the difference between you and me, who work part-time until dawn every day! Speak up!”

I shouted in frustration at this irrationality.

To the author, who gave no special abilities or knowledge to the character and kept their current appearance, it was an empty statement that would never reach.

Summer…

No, it was midterm exam season.

Damn it.