Ch.124Episode 26. Aquarium Date (2)

“Instructor Eugene!”

Just as I was staring blankly at the sky to pass time, a cheerful voice called out. When I turned my head, Jung Iyeon was approaching me with quick steps, her white hair swaying.

As she stepped into the shade where I was standing, she was already smiling brightly, seeming excited.

She was wearing a white T-shirt with English letters on it and an A-line black skirt. With white socks and black flats, her outfit was both cute and neat.

“What were you doing?”

“Just watching the clouds go by.”

Watching how far clouds travel makes time pass surprisingly well. I remember in high school, staring blankly at clouds until suddenly class was over.

“Without your phone?”

“Is there anything to do on a phone?”

“Don’t you use social media?”

“No, I don’t.”

I don’t have anything particular to post on social media, and even if I did, it’s too bothersome to maintain.

Come to think of it, Gu Yeonhwa did say we should use social media together if we were going to cosplay together. I obviously declined.

I had no intention of cosplaying again. Sweating profusely among crowds of people was enough for one lifetime.

“I see. So you only use your phone for communication?”

“That’s right.”

“Instructor Eugene, you’re a rare species.”

“…Are you making fun of me?”

“No, of course not. I’m saying this because hardly anyone these days doesn’t use social media. Moreover, you’re good-looking and have S-class abilities but don’t use social media? Wouldn’t that make you a first-class husband material?”

“Is it really that impressive…?”

I truly don’t know how to react to such high praise.

“These days, modern people cause a lot of problems because they’re addicted to social media. That’s why they say a partner who doesn’t use social media is the best.”

“Do you use social media then?”

“Uh… um… well.”

“Why are you hesitating?”

“No… it’s just… I do use it…”

“You do use it, and?”

It’s not a crime to use social media, so why is she being so cautious around me?

“I just do, that’s all. Nothing special. Let’s hurry to the aquarium!”

As I stared at her questioningly, she cleared her throat and tried to change the subject. I quietly observed her awkward reaction before nodding.

Maybe she posted something about me on social media? I should interrogate her about it later.

“Ah.”

“Yes?”

“The clothes suit you well. I like it.”

I said this while helping her fix her hair that had become disheveled from walking quickly.

“Hmm! You look cool too, Instructor Eugene.”

She suppressed a smile at my compliment and returned the praise. Even though I was just wearing a black T-shirt and jeans.

In summer, I usually buy shirts one size larger because wearing just a T-shirt makes my muscles stand out too much. To avoid drawing attention.

“Phew. Shall we go? It’s hot out here.”

“Yes!”

We naturally headed to the parking lot and got into a white car.

The interior wasn’t hot. I had started the engine in advance and turned on the air conditioning.

I made a mental note to park in a shaded area next time as I waited for her to get in.

“So Instructor, you know how to drive too?”

Haven’t I heard that same line from Gu Yeonhwa? It’s getting old.

“Yes. Why, are you doubtful too?”

“…Too?”

She paused after closing the door and asked. Having nothing to hide, I nodded and answered.

“I drove when I went to Comic World with Gu Yeonhwa.”

“Ah… that’s right, Yeonhwa wrote that wish, didn’t she?”

“Yes, she did.”

Iyeon nodded several times with a look of understanding. It’s amusing how she’s trying to manage her expression and gloss over it.

“Hmm… you were jealous, weren’t you?”

“W-what! I wasn’t jealous! Not really…! It was just a wish…”

She jumped in surprise at my words and vehemently denied it. Her eyes widened, and her face flushed red. As I thought before, she really shows her emotions clearly when she blushes.

“I was just joking. Taking it so seriously makes it seem real.”

“That’s a mean joke! Hmph!”

“You should fasten your seatbelt.”

“I-I’m going to…!”

Before she could turn to find her seatbelt, I reached out first and grabbed it, fastening it for her.

They say if someone you’re not interested in does this, it’s meddling, but if someone you like does it, it’s considerate.

That seems to be true.

Iyeon looked flustered, but not uncomfortable or displeased.

“Oh… th-thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

I glanced at Iyeon fidgeting with her already fastened seatbelt before starting the car. I pressed the accelerator toward the aquarium in Jamsil.

“By the way, Instructor.”

Not long after starting the car, Iyeon cautiously spoke up.

“Yes?”

“You seem to have gotten really close with the students.”

“You think so?”

“Yes. At the beginning of the semester, things were quite rocky, but now everyone listens quietly with just a word from you. When I see you talking with them, it feels like the distance has shortened…”

“Does it look that way to you too?”

“Ah, yes. Did you feel that way too?”

“I did.”

It feels somewhat satisfying.

If it appears to be a good relationship from an outside perspective, then my efforts weren’t in vain.

If things continue like this, they will walk the path of heroes, unlike in the original story. I hope that day comes soon.

“Hmm… I also noticed the way they address you has changed. Senior Yeonmuhui calls you Yujin, and Gu Yeonhwa occasionally calls you oppa…”

While that might be acceptable during a date, the change in how they address me wasn’t my initiative but theirs.

I never told them to change how they address me in everyday situations.

“They just call me whatever they want.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. Do you want to call me something different too, like the others?”

“…Is that allowed?”

Iyeon asked tentatively. Does she think this is a windfall?

“Why not? You can call me Instructor when we’re with everyone else and change how you address me when we’re alone. Oh, but you still have a wish left. Do you want to use it for that?”

I grinned, trying to get her to use her wish. Iyeon protested, patting her pristine white knees.

“That’s not fair! Are you going to be stingy about it?!”

“Alright. So what do you want to call me?”

She glanced at me briefly before covering her mouth, seriously contemplating.

“Hmm. Oppa seems most natural… Yujin oppa? Jin oppa?”

“Just my name?”

“If we’re going for familiarity, isn’t this better?”

It felt slightly awkward, perhaps because it’s a single syllable.

“Call me whatever you want.”

“Then I’ll go with Jin oppa.”

“Sure.”

I didn’t care what she called me. If she found a way to address me that closed the distance between us, that was enough.

The closer the relationship, the easier it is to influence someone.

“Great. I’ve heard the Jamsil Aquarium is good, though maybe not as good as the one in Jeju. I’m already excited.”

“Haven’t you been there before?”

“I have, but never like this.”

“You mean alone with a man.”

“Hmm. That’s right. I’ve never been alone with someone. Why would I go to such a place with someone I’m not interested in? Don’t you feel the same?”

A deliberate answer with multiple implications.

She’s telling me now:

I’m interested in you. Aren’t you interested in me too?

Judging by Iyeon’s composed attitude, she seemed more accustomed to dealing with men compared to the others.

Well, in the original story, Iyeon was portrayed as a diligent social butterfly character. Even though she came to the special class and became somewhat of a loner.

“True. It’s not a place you’d go alone with someone you’re not interested in.”

I said as I put my foot on the brake when we hit a red light.

“I would have declined if it wasn’t you.”

“…I see.”

What do you think of this answer?

Do you think it’s simple interest, or romantic feelings?

Either way, I’ll never give you certainty. I have my position as an “instructor” as justification.

“Let’s have fun today. We’ll explore the aquarium, eat something delicious, and then head back to the academy.”

“Hmph. Sounds good.”

I moved my foot from the brake to the accelerator as I heard her response.

* * *

At the aquarium ticket booth, I showed the QR code and received the entrance tickets. I handed one to Iyeon as we stood at the entrance.

We showed our tickets to the staff and entered.

Not long after entering, we came upon a space decorated to resemble nature. The surroundings were adorned with grass and stones, and numerous fish swimming in the tank caught my eye.

“Whoa.”

I inadvertently let out an exclamation as I looked around.

There were many people, but it felt much more positive than Comic World.

The heat wasn’t much different from Comic World. Probably because they couldn’t turn the air conditioning too high due to the marine life.

“Is this your first time at an aquarium?”

As I unconsciously smiled while looking around, Iyeon approached and asked.

“Yeah. Like you, I didn’t have a woman to come with.”

“Really? Hmm~ So I’m your first?”

“You like that?”

“Of course. I’m your first fan, and it’s your first time dating at an aquarium. How could I not be happy?”

It’s not my first date, though.

I’ve already spent plenty of intimate time with other girls. It was because of those times that the distance between us had significantly shortened.

If Iyeon is as perceptive as she seems, she would know this.

She noticed and questioned the change in how others address me and their attitudes toward me.

“I’m glad I came with you too.”

I said nonchalantly and started walking ahead.

“Ah! Wait for me!”

Following behind me belatedly, she was smiling brightly.