Ch.7373. No Flirting with the Waitress!

One week later, at noon on the opening day of the much-anticipated school festival.

Inside an outdoor booth made with a tent. More precisely, I sighed as I sat in the “information desk” chair.

“Hmm.”

It really seems like summer has arrived, as the sunlight outside looks quite hot despite it only being June. But that’s not my concern.

I was enjoying the breeze from the fan placed at the information booth.

“…”

I’m not slacking off—this is all part of my duties as an operations team member. Sitting here and jumping up to guide visitors when they come with questions. That’s what I’ve been doing all morning.

Though even that’s about to end since it’s almost time for the shift change.

“Ugh.”

I stretched in various directions to loosen my stiff body while observing the situation outside. True to its reputation as a festival rivaling university festivals in scale, I could see students and outsiders bustling about.

Normally, school festivals shouldn’t have outsiders, but Chungha Highschool allows external visitors during the festival.

It’s not really about “enjoying the festival with local residents since we’re going all out anyway~.” It’s just the school showing off.

Like “Our school is successful enough to host such a grand festival~.” The proof? They even made guidebooks for outsiders and distributed them for free.

Speaking of which, I picked up one of the booklets and examined its contents. Even just skimming through it, I could tell it was made with considerable effort.

It was highly readable, meticulously divided by date, building, and floor, making it easy to see at a glance which programs were happening where.

“New Building, 4th floor, Practice Wing, Room F.”

Our class was assigned a classroom on the 4th floor. While other classes were running programs on the 1st or 2nd floors, making our location relatively less accessible, we had no choice since we were running a bizarre program called “Hospital Café.”

There weren’t many large classrooms that could be decorated like a hospital while also having simple kitchen facilities.

“There’s still some time left…”

Perhaps because it was almost lunchtime, there were many people hurrying about, but no one was coming to ask questions.

As I was enjoying the quiet moment, absentmindedly checking the time on my wristwatch, it happened.

“Are you working hard?”

Suddenly, a shadow fell across me. A visitor perhaps? I quickly looked up, but then relaxed when I recognized who it was.

“Oh, it’s just you.”

“Yeah, but can I drink this water? It’s really hot outside.”

“Go ahead.”

As soon as I gave permission, Im Hansol gulped down the water. His comment about the heat wasn’t just talk—beads of sweat were forming around his neck.

“Whew, that’s refreshing.”

“What’s with those sunglasses?”

“These? Protection from the sun. It gets really bright when you’re walking around outside.”

As Hansol said, class presidents and operations team members take turns manning the information booth or patrolling.

Since I was in charge of the information booth this morning, we would switch roles after lunch.

“By the way, Han Siwoo, have you visited our class café yet?”

“No, I haven’t. I heard the third-years were even scolding the student council president for going to the bathroom.”

Thanks to that, I’ve been sitting in one place all morning and my body feels stiff.

“Really? Then you should go quickly before the shift change. I’ll switch roles with you now.”

With those words, Hansol took off his sunglasses and handed them to me.

Why is he giving me his sunglasses? I accepted them since they were offered, but I was confused about the reason and just held them awkwardly. Hansol responded with a wink, squinting one eye.

…What’s with this guy? I felt a chill and rubbed my forearm. Getting winked at by another guy is just unpleasant.

“Make sure you wear those when you go.”

“What? Why?”

“Well, why do you think?”

“How would I know?”

“You’ll find out when you get there. Come on, we don’t have time for this. You might not be able to see it if you miss the shift change, so hurry up and go.”

Not just urging me with words, he grabbed my arm and forcibly pulled me to my feet. I could have resisted if I wanted to, but there seemed no need, so I stood up.

“Seriously, what is it? Is there some kind of event?”

“Well, you could call it an event? It’s not something you see every day.”

He’s muttering in such a meaningful tone as if there really is something special, which makes me curious. What could be there that makes him rush me like this?

I’ll find out when I get there. Following Hansol’s suggestion, I switched duties with him and headed to the New Building. Our class was using Room F in the Practice Wing on the 4th floor.

After passing through the spiral staircase and landing, as soon as I set foot in the 4th floor corridor, I saw an unexpected sight. I thought there wouldn’t be many people due to the poor accessibility, but there was even a waiting line.

“Wow, why are there so many people?”

At this rate, I might have to go patrol without even getting to see it… That’s what I was thinking when it happened.

“Oh.”

Someone far away caught my eye as I stood there awkwardly. Despite the considerable distance, she seemed to recognize me immediately, and a black-haired woman in a school uniform approached me.

“Hey, Han Siwoo. What are you doing here?”

“Me? I switched duties with Im Hansol and came to patrol. What about you?”

“I’m working too. I’m monitoring outside because there are so many customers that I’m worried people might cut in line.”

I was wondering why she was outside without customer service attire. So that was the reason. I nodded in understanding, and then Jinhee suddenly flashed a strange smile.

“Han Siwoo, aren’t you going to visit our class café? There are lots of fun things.”

“Well, I’d like to, but the line seems too long.”

“What does the line matter? You’re a staff member of our class café anyway, so you can just walk in through the front door confidently.”

“Is that okay?”

“Yes, and besides, no one will care if you’re wearing that armband.”

As Jinhee pointed out, I was wearing a yellow armband with the large characters for “Operations Team” emblazoned on it. The student council president had made it mandatory for the operations team to wear them, so I was wearing it semi-forcibly.

“Is that so? Then I’ll go in for a bit.”

“Great, come in.”

I carefully followed Jinhee through the front door of our class café. It was almost like cutting in line, but thanks to the armband on my arm, no one stopped me.

“Sit over there in that empty seat. I’ll bring you a menu.”

“Ah, okay. Thanks.”

“No need to thank me, it’s a service we should provide to customers.”

That’s true. After saying that, Jinhee disappeared into the kitchen. Then, the gazes of customers using the hospital café subtly flew toward me.

They must be wondering about this guy with a large armband chatting so casually with a staff member.

“…”

It’s nothing special, but I feel awkward and embarrassed. Since I can’t explain this to everyone individually, I took out the sunglasses that I had hooked in my shirt pocket and put them on.

I did this hoping it would draw less attention, but the customers looked at me with even more bizarre stares.

“…When is she coming back?”

I wish she’d hurry up and bring the menu so I could eat and leave. As I was tapping my feet in embarrassment and awkwardness, it happened.

“Oh, Siwoo?”

A very familiar voice came from behind me. I reflexively turned around… and was startled.

“What’s with those sunglasses?”

“Ah, these? They’re for sun protection… Wait, why are you dressed like that?”

She was excited about working in the kitchen just this morning, but now Hwa Nabi was wearing some kind of nurse outfit.

Needless to say, it wasn’t the revealing outfit she wore when she was with me, but a very decent version of customer service attire.

“What’s wrong with my clothes? Is something strange?”

“It’s not that they’re strange, but weren’t you assigned to the kitchen?”

“Ah… That’s right. I worked in the kitchen until about 10 o’clock, but after that, I switched to customer service.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Hmm, it’s a bit complicated to explain, so I’ll tell you later. But before that.”

*Tap*

Hwa Nabi placed a beautifully designed menu on the table. Then she spoke to me in a deliberately sweet voice.

“Now, patient? Please choose your desired menu.”

Is this her customer service mode now? Actually, whatever the reason, it wasn’t really important. Let me play along. I quickly scanned the menu with my eyes.

“What’s this ‘Bacteria-Filled Coffee’?”

“Oh, that’s coffee filled with sugar cubes.”

“…Then why is it called ‘Bacteria-Filled Coffee’?”

“Who knows? I didn’t name it. Maybe there are bacteria in the sugar cubes?”

If that were true, the news would be headlining a biochemical terror attack at a high school festival.

Well, it is true that too much sugar is bad for your body… Let’s just consider it a similar concept and move on.

“Then I’ll have one Bacteria-Filled Coffee, and.”

“Yes, one Bacteria-Filled Coffee ordered. And?”

I was thinking of ordering a cocoa cookie to balance the coffee and sugar, when my eyes met Hwa Nabi’s, who was looking at me with a prim expression.

Seeing her trying hard to hold back a smile, I felt mischievous. I propped my elbows on the table, rested my chin on them, and asked:

“Can I also order your number?”

It feels a bit awkward using formal speech when I normally don’t. As I said this jokingly with a smile, Hwa Nabi responded with a haughty face:

“Ahem, customer? I’m sorry, but flirting with the waitress is prohibited.”

“Oh, is that so? I apologize. You’re just so charming, I couldn’t help myself.”

As I threw out these cringe-worthy lines, a laugh escaped from the corner of my mouth. And it seemed the same for Hwa Nabi, who covered her mouth with the menu and chuckled.

“Ah, this is hilarious. So, Hwa Nabi, when’s your break time?”

“I’m due for a shift change soon. Why do you ask?”

She obviously knows why I’m asking this, but she’s deliberately playing coy. I tapped the back of her hand that was gripping the menu.

“When you have time later, want to go on a date?”

“Hmph, I don’t know? I might be too busy.”

“Come on, don’t be like that. I’m asking nicely, can’t you say yes?”

“…Well, if you insist, I suppose I can entertain you for a bit. But during my break time, isn’t it your work time?”

“It’s fine, I can slack off a little.”

“That doesn’t seem right… but I’ll let you decide. Alright, wait for thirty minutes.”

“Okay, I’ll wait.”