Ch.159Because It’s Summer (2)

That morning, there were unusually many students heading to school early.

Typically, most students struggled with mornings, so those passing through the school gates generally had gloomy expressions or half-closed eyes, but…

“Good morning, teacher!”

“Good morning, Teacher Lee Hakju!”

Today, every student crossing the school gate had exceptionally bright eyes.

This was despite it being the day when the strictest teacher, the student affairs director, was in charge of monitoring dress code violations and tardiness at the gate.

“Well, well, look at you all. You’re always rushing in breathlessly right before the gates close, but now that it’s vacation day, you’ve all turned into model students?”

“Hehehe. You know how we naturally wake up early before field trips and school excursions? It’s kind of like that.”

“Goodness, you kids just love having fun. I’m letting you off because you came early. Go on in. And button up properly.”

“Thank you, teacher!”

Even the strict student affairs teacher was lenient with the students today.

Today marked the end of the first semester at Bulsa High School.

The beginning of summer vacation.

That’s why even students who were habitually late or frequently skipped school

showed up early today, with no absences or tardiness to speak of.

Regular students who always came on time,

plus those who arrived early because it was the last day before vacation.

With more people gathered than usual,

everyone was excited about their upcoming vacation plans.

Some talked about overseas trips during the break.

Others discussed part-time jobs they would take.

And some chatted about their favorite idol’s national tour.

All sorts of elaborate and abundant plans were being discussed everywhere,

making Bulsa High’s morning more crowded and noisy than ever.

However, occasionally amid the increased crowd and the commotion they created,

one small change from the usual became a topic of conversation among people.

“Oh, there’s Ban Doyoung.”

“Oh, really. I guess even Ban Doyoung couldn’t resist coming to school early on vacation day.”

“Wait… isn’t that Do Hamin walking beside her?”

“Huh, that’s unusual. The guy who always comes first is late today.”

Yes. The early arrival of Miss Ban Doyoung, this world’s most beautiful girl and a habitual latecomer,

and the slightly delayed arrival of Do Hamin, who was always the first student to arrive at school, even among all grades—that was precisely it.

Of course, up to this point, everyone perceived these as minor changes that could happen on the special event of vacation day.

Miss Ban Doyoung must have been looking forward to the vacation more than anyone, so she wanted to come to school as early as possible.

And Do Hamin, being the diligent student who always arrived first throughout the semester, probably wanted to take it easy just for this one day.

That was the extent of how the surrounding students perceived us walking to school together.

“Wait… are they holding hands right now?”

“…What did you say?”

That is, until they saw Do Hamin and me holding hands as we walked together.

“What’s going on? What’s their relationship? Did they walk here like that?”

“Judging by Do Hamin’s red face and hands, it seems true. Look. His hands are all sweaty.”

“Ban Doyoung’s shirt looks a bit damp too. Did he touch her? Did he?”

“No, focus on their hands. I understand why your eyes would go elsewhere, but still.”

“Wasn’t she just using Do Hamin as her cola delivery boy and plaything? Since when did they start going around like that? I’ve seen them together often, but never holding hands like this.”

“Oh my goodness, what in the world.”

From the moment our hand-holding was spotted,

various reactions erupted from all around.

The unexpected “behavior” of Do Hamin and Ban Doyoung following this small “change”

quickly transformed from a minor “topic” of conversation into an “incident” that captured everyone’s attention and dominated all discussions.

“It must be… a joke, right? Like a penalty for losing a game between friends who always hang out together.”

“That’s all I can think of too… but does that look like someone suffering a penalty? She doesn’t seem embarrassed at all.”

“If anything, Do Hamin seems more embarrassed.”

“By the way, who’s that girl in Bulsa Middle School uniform walking next to Ban Doyoung? She’s not losing in looks despite being next to Ban Doyoung. Nice thighs and butt too.”

“No, focus on what’s going on between Ban Doyoung and Do Hamin.”

The reactions varied depending on the individual,

but most people seemed to think that while they were close, they never expected them to actually become a couple.

“Even though Do Hamin has grown taller and lost some weight in his face lately, still, we’re talking about Ban Doyoung here. She’s the goddess from Bulsa Middle School. I heard talent agencies still give her business cards when she walks around downtown.”

“Do Hamin is also officially Bulsa High’s goddess.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about. And that title was half a joke anyway. I still remember Do Hamin’s face from his total loser days—it’s hard to develop romantic feelings for someone like that.”

“Oh, is that how guys think? I don’t mind if someone used to be less attractive as long as they’re handsome now. Actually, it’s better because there’s less competition.”

“Okay, when you grow up and get a boyfriend, I’ll make sure to send your high school graduation album photos to your KakaoTalk.”

“Teacher Lee! This jerk is sexually harassing me!”

Most of the kids discussing my relationship with Do Hamin were in the same grade as Miss Ban Doyoung.

In other words, they were the ones who had most closely witnessed the contrast between Miss Ban Doyoung’s status in this world and Do Hamin’s fragile appearance when he first enrolled.

Of course, due to Do Hamin’s recent growth and his actions during the final exams,

his reputation among the class had improved considerably,

but still, students who had known Miss Ban Doyoung for a long time probably didn’t think we made a suitable couple.

“Do Hamin, are you secretly popular? This much reaction just from holding hands. If they knew what we did in my room last weekend, they’d all faint.”

I turned my head slightly to check Do Hamin’s reaction.

Well, I could pretty much tell from the dampness I felt in his hand, but still.

Perhaps thanks to his increased height and more handsome appearance,

I wanted to see his facial expression, not just his hand.

“How does it feel? To be the center of attention again after being Bulsa High’s goddess?”

“…Ah, yes. Walking to school together is nice, but… I feel a bit conflicted.”

His stuttering speech from nervousness and his palm soaked with sweat.

I could tell through his hand that he didn’t dislike walking to school with Miss Ban Doyoung,

but when I glanced up at his face, his expression wasn’t entirely positive.

“Why the face? Does it hurt to hear about your loser days?”

“No, that kind of treatment is fine. I’m used to hearing it.”

“Even if you’re used to it, it should still upset you. It’s not your fault.”

“I can laugh that off. But… I’m worried that you’ll be treated strangely because of me, Doyoung.”

“Goodness, even at a time like this, you’re not thinking about yourself, just caring about others.”

“…”

*Grip*

Do Hamin firmly grasped Miss Ban Doyoung’s hand, which was about to slip away due to sweat.

“…Because you’re not just ‘others’ to me.”

“Oh, ohhh… I guess. So I’m not just ‘others’ to you? Hehehe… I see. You got me there.”

Not just “others” to Do Hamin.

It was an expression that seemed like it could be interpreted differently from what he intended.

“Then prove it with your own hands that I’m not just ‘others’ to you. Show them.”

I raised the arm that Do Hamin was gripping to his eye level as I spoke.

“…Okay. I will.”

Do Hamin nodded as if he understood the meaning of my words.

Then he raised his arm dramatically toward the group that had been talking about us.

He lifted it with such force that my upper body was slightly lifted along with it.

*Release*

Do Hamin released Miss Ban Doyoung’s hand that he had raised high.

Freed from pressure, her hand began to slide down along Do Hamin’s sweat, about to fall.

*Grasp*

But then Do Hamin’s fingers interlocked with hers, catching Miss Ban Doyoung’s falling hand.

As if telling the other students that he wouldn’t let go of what he held,

Do Hamin’s fingers slid between Miss Ban Doyoung’s knuckles, firmly grasping each other.

“Whoa…”

“It’s, it’s hot. Let’s go inside quickly.”

“Yeah, Teacher Miso is waiting for us.”

Understanding Do Hamin’s message, the students’ faces turned red as they fled one by one toward the classroom.

“What’s that, Ban-thief unnie and Hamin oppa? What’s with that hand position?”

Only Siyoung, who didn’t understand the meaning, asked us about the interlocked fingers we had just shown.

“Ah, I just got ‘daisuki hold’-ed by Do Hamin.”

“I-it’s just interlocked fingers!”

“What’s a ‘daisuki hold’?”

“I’ll tell you when we get home.”

“W-what are you trying to teach a child?”

I had one more piece of knowledge to share with Siyoung.