Ch.2222. The Reversed Future

The unexpected invitation had me excited for a moment.

After getting my lunch and sitting down, I slowly calmed my excitement.

“…”

Come to think of it, something seems off. There’s no reason why Im Hansol would reject other friends and specifically choose to eat with someone like me.

That suggests he must have some ulterior motive. It might be a stretch, but it seemed entirely possible.

“…What could it be?”

I pondered for a moment, but there was no way I could know. They say you can know what’s at the bottom of a deep well, but not what’s in someone’s heart—how could I possibly know someone else’s intentions?

If this were an event from the original story, I could make some guesses, but since it wasn’t, I had absolutely no idea.

“Maybe he wants to become friends with me?”

Hmm, even though I’m the one who said it, that’s completely absurd. Why would someone with plenty of friends want to befriend a rogue like me?

“There are plenty of other seats, why specifically come to this corner?”

Just then, Im Hansol approached and sat across from me. I set aside my speculations and naturally responded while lifting my spoon.

“It’s comfortable here.”

“Is that so? Then I guess it can’t be helped.”

As Im Hansol said, the cafeteria had many empty spots and was quite spacious. But I had a specific reason for choosing this location.

This was just my guess, but I felt like we might end up discussing things that others shouldn’t hear. It’s easier to talk when there are no eavesdropping ears. I took another spoonful and waited for him to speak.

I had no idea what his ulterior motive was anyway. If I waited, he’d eventually get to the point.

Munch, munch.

Ah, this is delicious.

“You really eat well, don’t you?”

“…What, is that a problem?”

I snapped back at his childish tone. It came out unintentionally, and I immediately regretted it, but Im Hansol didn’t seem bothered. As expected of someone nicknamed “Great Hero.”

I suppose you could say he’s broad-minded. If it were me, I would’ve asked if he was picking a fight.

“No, I didn’t mean it’s a problem. I just found it interesting.”

“You find me interesting too?”

Between Hwa Nabi and now him, I don’t understand why so many people look at me like I’m some curiosity. I’m not some endangered species in the middle of the city.

“‘Too’?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Realizing my slip-up belatedly, I brushed it off.

Im Hansol looked at me for a moment, then stirred his soup with his spoon and said bluntly:

“Well, the reason I found it interesting is because, didn’t you once say something like ‘this tasteless food is only for commoners’? But looking at you now, you seem to be enjoying it a lot.”

I froze mid-bite. What Im Hansol just mentioned was an extension of what he’d said earlier, referring to an incident committed by the original Han Siwoo.

Or more accurately, “had committed.” It wasn’t something done directly in front of Im Hansol, but rather something that supposedly happened in middle school.

Yes, I know that. But I couldn’t think of how to respond. After all, it wasn’t something I had personally done.

“Back then… I was like that.”

“When you say ‘back then,’ does that mean you’re not like that anymore?”

“What’s your intention in asking?”

Is he trying to pick a fight about past behavior? I unconsciously glared at him intensely.

I know I shouldn’t act this way toward the protagonist, but when someone exposes a part of your past you’d rather keep hidden, you naturally become defensive.

“I had no particular intention. I was just curious. Sorry if it was a sensitive topic.”

“You’re certainly curious about a lot of things.”

“I hear that often. People ask why I’m so curious.”

Unnecessary curiosity and meddling are virtues that light novel protagonists should rightfully possess, so I didn’t intend to criticize that.

If the protagonist didn’t have such a personality, the story wouldn’t work in the first place.

“So, don’t tell me you asked me to eat together just to ask about that?”

If that were really the case, it would be the most anticlimactic outcome possible.

Though I wasn’t showing it, I was secretly anxious about whether something not in the original story might be happening.

“Well, no. That was just my personal curiosity. I didn’t expect you to answer so readily…”

At the words “personal curiosity,” I momentarily paused. As I thought. There was indeed some other motive. I stopped mid-bite and glanced at him.

“Did the homeroom teacher ask you to probe me?”

“…”

It was a shot in the dark, but it seemed to be correct. Im Hansol’s eyes widened for a moment before returning to normal.

This was a habit of Im Hansol’s when surprised, as described in the original story.

Indeed. Even these small details match the original perfectly.

“Looks like I’m right.”

“…How did you know? Was my expression that obvious?”

“No.”

Even if I explained how I knew, he wouldn’t understand, and I had no obligation to do so.

Habits are scary precisely because they emerge unconsciously, and most people don’t realize them until someone points them out.

“Well, yes. The teacher did ask me, but…”

“But?”

What else is there?

“The thing is, what the teacher asked me to do was something else.”

“Something else?”

“Yes, the teacher asked me about how to organize the field trip groups. So…”

“So?”

“…Why do you keep repeating the ends of my sentences?”

“Ah, sorry.”

I was so focused on each word that I unconsciously echoed him. I nodded for him to continue.

“Ahem, anyway. So I’ve been going around asking classmates if there’s anyone they’d like to be in the same group with.”

So that’s why he was talking to everyone during breaks. I thought it was just the social skills of a light novel protagonist, but there was a reason behind it.

“If that’s the case, couldn’t you have just asked during break time?”

“Well, I was going to, but you and your seatmate were always together during breaks. What was her name… Hwa Nabi? I was watching, waiting for a chance to interrupt your conversation, but there never seemed to be an opening.”

“Ah…”

If that was the case, he could have just approached us. The reason I was talking with Hwa Nabi during breaks was nothing special. I was just helping her with math in preparation for the quiz.

“Are you two dating?”

I need to clear this up for sure.

“No, we’re not.”

“Really? You two looked so close, I’m surprised.”

“Does talking during breaks mean we’re dating?”

If that were the case, the term “low birth rate” wouldn’t exist on this planet.

“Of course not, but there’s a certain atmosphere, you know.”

“What atmosphere?”

“You know, when you look at people and just get a feeling? Like, ‘There’s definitely something going on between them.'”

For someone who’s supposedly as dense as they come, he’s lecturing me about reading the room? I was momentarily dumbfounded, but… it seemed pointless to criticize something that hadn’t even happened yet.

“Anyway, we’re not like that.”

“Really?”

“Why would I lie to you about this?”

“Maybe because you’re embarrassed? …But I guess not.”

At Im Hansol’s question, my expression visibly soured, even to myself.

“I’m asking just in case, but do your friends think the same? That we’re dating?”

“Not everyone thinks that. Just that there’s a hint of something. I don’t know about dating, but many people think you two might be interested in each other.”

If someone as oblivious as him is saying this, I should assume everyone thinks that way.

They say rumors spread fast, and true to form for teenagers, this kind of gossip spreads especially quickly. This is troublesome.

“Just to be clear… we’re not like that.”

“What? Really, you’re not?”

“I said we’re not.”

It felt awkward to deny our relationship after I’d boldly told Nam Daeun we were engaged, but my reason for denying it now was different.

Nam Daeun. She’s not even from the same school, and apart from being Hwa Nabi’s friend, she doesn’t have much connection to me, so it doesn’t matter what I say to her.

But Im Hansol is different. Like it or not, he’s the protagonist, so he frequently interacts and talks with various people. Just look at how he went around talking to the entire class earlier.

If I carelessly say something misleading to him and false rumors spread, what would happen? Most likely, it would cause trouble for Hwa Nabi.

Being associated with someone like Han Siwoo would hardly bring her any good reputation. This was my own form of consideration. One person suffering from a bad reputation is enough.

“Okay, I understand. Oh, and also.”

“Also, what?”

“I should finish what I was saying. About the field trip groups. How would you like them to be arranged?”

Oh, that. Honestly, I don’t care either way. No matter who I’m grouped with, the outcome will be the same.

“Is there anyone you’d like to be in the same group with? I can’t guarantee your preference will be 100% reflected, but to some extent…”

“I don’t care who I’m with. Do whatever you want.”

I dismissed it outright. Faced with my firm attitude, Im Hansol looked momentarily flustered, but soon regained his composure and responded.

“Well, then, is there anyone you’d prefer to avoid? Someone you’d be uncomfortable being in the same group with?”

“I don’t think you should be asking me that. Wouldn’t everyone else say me?”

I’m guessing almost all the boys would name me. I would too, if I were them.

There’s nothing more uncomfortable than being in the same group as a delinquent during what should be an enjoyable field trip.

“Hmm…”

My guess seemed to be correct, as Im Hansol visibly hesitated.

Like a true light novel protagonist, he’s not good at hiding his emotions.

After contemplating with his eyes closed, Im Hansol suddenly opened them and muttered:

“Then, let’s be in the same group.”

“What?”

I’m sure it was meant as a consideration for me, who’s always on the outside, but that was precisely what I wanted to avoid.

If I had to name the one person I’d most want to avoid, it would undoubtedly be Im Hansol.

But I couldn’t say such things to his face. It’s not like I was looking for a fight.

“Why? Don’t you want to?”

“No… that’s not it.”

“Then it’s settled. I’ll tell the teacher that.”

“…”

It seems that Im Hansol and I being in the same group is already a decided matter.

Finding something amusing, Im Hansol ate his meal with a smile. Watching him, I felt a sense of defeat inside.

I’ve ended up entangled with the very person I wanted to avoid most. And there’s no way out.

“…”

Maybe I should have just honestly said I didn’t want to be in the same group with him. I regretted it, but the water was already spilled. Saying it now would just seem like I’m throwing a tantrum.

Given the situation, I needed to minimize my interactions with Im Hansol.

Even if we’re in the same group, we only need to do activities together during scheduled times, so if I play it right, I can avoid him completely.

“Where are we going for the field trip?”

I deliberately pretended not to know, even though I already did.

Our field trip destination is Gyeongju.

I heard that wealthy high schools often go abroad, but the reason they chose Gyeongju in Korea was because the author had never been abroad, or something like that.

But the location that came out of Im Hansol’s mouth was completely different.

“Oh, the destination? It should be Jeju Island.”

“What?”

…Has the future changed? Swallowing my surprise, I asked again.

“Jeju Island? Really?”

“Yes, why? Is there a problem?”

“No, no problem.”

There is a problem. And not just any problem—this is a major issue. The development has twisted in a completely different direction from what I knew.

Why?

“But wasn’t the original destination Gyeongju?”

“Huh, how do you know that, Siwoo?”

“Does it matter how I know? Why did it suddenly change to Jeju Island?”

In my urgency, I unintentionally raised my voice. Im Hansol looked at me with a puzzled expression for a moment, then spoke.

“Even if you ask me like that, I don’t really know… The teachers decide where the field trip goes.”

“Ah… right, sorry.”

Of course, he wouldn’t know. I calmed myself down and sat back in my seat after momentarily getting excited.

“Oh, right. Since you asked, I remembered there was a rumor about the field trip destination.”

“What is it?”

“I’m not sure, but apparently one of the parents pressured the principal. They argued that it didn’t make sense for high school students to go to Gyeongju for a field trip, saying we should at least experience flying on a plane.”

I don’t know who this crazy person is, but if I ever find out, they’ll regret it.

“I… see. Thanks for the information.”

“Hmm, really? You’re genuinely thankful?”

It was just a courtesy, why is he asking about this? Though I found it strange, I nodded anyway. He did provide important information, after all.

“If you’re thankful, then grant me one favor later.”

“What favor? Are you asking for money?”

Is he short on cash these days? I instinctively reached for my back pocket. It’s not even my money anyway, so if he wants to sell this information for cash, I’m all for it.

“No, nothing like that. You’ll naturally find out when the time comes. It probably won’t be anything unreasonable. If you hear it and don’t like it, you can refuse. Is that okay?”

“Sure, if that’s all it is…”

***

“Siwoo, have you heard? Our field trip destination has changed to Jeju Island.”

“I heard, but how do you know about it?”

“Actually, I contacted my dad and asked if he could change our school’s field trip location. I mean, come on. We’re high school students—why go to Gyeongju? I’ve already been there several times.”

“…So you’re the culprit?”