Ch.74Hero’s Trial (5)
by fnovelpia
I finished getting ready and put on my school uniform. Come to think of it, it feels like it’s been ages since I wore this. But I definitely wore it yesterday, so why does it feel so awkward?
Anyway, when I stepped outside, Ju-an was waiting for me.
“Ready to go?”
“Yeah. Let’s hurry to school.”
Even as we walked to school, I kept feeling like I was about to remember something important, but nothing came to mind.
It feels like there was something really important, but why can’t I remember it…
“Did you prepare for today’s performance assessment?”
“What performance?”
“The shuttle run for PE.”
“I don’t need to prepare for something like that to get a perfect score.”
My body has been trained for decades. I’m confident I’m much stronger than most of the boys.
“I’m kind of jealous…”
“You should have exercised since you were young.”
“I was always studying and never had time to exercise.”
“No matter how busy you are, couldn’t you find at least an hour a day?”
“I should, but whenever I try to do something, I can’t find proper motivation…”
Ju-an made excuses again to put off exercising. Should I force him to work out?
I guess I shouldn’t talk since I don’t study when people tell me to.
“I can’t always be by your side, so you should start exercising.”
“Then we could just live together after we graduate.”
“…Even so, isn’t it a bit much for a guy and girl to live together?”
“But don’t we balance each other well? You can handle the physical stuff, and I can handle the mental stuff.”
It’s true that we complement each other’s weaknesses when we’re together. I can handle anything requiring strength, and he can handle anything requiring brains.
But society isn’t that simple. Later on, when it comes to employment and such, someone like me who’s only strong will obviously become useless.
“Let’s say I’m lucky enough to become an athlete. I could make a living, but what if I fail?”
“I think you’d be fine.”
“Why?”
“If I inherit my father’s hospital, I could easily support someone like you.”
“That’s nice of you, but is there any reason to go that far?”
“Because you’re a truly precious person?”
“…Why are you saying such embarrassing things?”
What he’s saying is basically no different from wanting to marry me for my housekeeping. But Ju-an said it so casually.
Come to think of it, marrying Ju-an… honestly, it probably wouldn’t be bad. We get along well…
…Why am I thinking about this when we’re not even dating? This is all because Ju-an started saying weird things.
But this conversation would never become reality. So I need to find a way to survive on my own.
There’s definitely the option of marrying someone else. But something about that feels off, so I don’t really want to choose it.
So I should really start studying now. Though I’ll probably just make empty promises again.
We continued our meaningless conversation as we walked to school as usual.
Something feels satisfying. Even though we’re just having pointless conversations, I feel fulfilled somehow.
Enough to forget whatever it was I was supposed to do.
***
When we arrived at school and I sat down, everyone gathered around me. Then Cheol-su spoke to me.
“Hey, I found a truly godly game this time.”
“What game is it now?”
“It’s called ‘Hero’s Trial,’ where you clear four trials. I made it to the third level but got stuck…”
“Looks like another boring game you’re claiming is fun.”
“No, it’s really amazing. Just try it once, you won’t regret it.”
“You enjoy it yourself.”
Cheol-su always brings boring games and asks me to play them, then ends up quitting first. It’ll probably be the same this time.
“By the way, what class do we have today?”
“I won’t tell you until you agree to play.”
“I guess we’re finally ending our friendship. It’s been fun.”
“Wow, you’re harsh! You still won’t play?”
“I’d rather go to the gym and work on my upper body than play that.”
“Your face is such a waste. You have such a pretty face, but why do your personality and actions ruin it all?”
“Still less ruined than your life.”
“You bastard.”
Cheol-su and I exchanged banter as always. Just like we always did.
“Hey, are you laughing? Boss, this jerk is laughing!”
Cheol-su called out to Young-min who was standing nearby.
“Leave her alone. She must be having a good dream.”
“Why are you suddenly giggling?”
Cheol-su and Young-min looked at me with puzzled expressions. So I kindly explained the situation.
“I’m just happy because the daily life I thought I’d never get back has returned.”
Although I have Ju-an, Ha-eun, and Tae-yang by my side, there are so many more connections here that can’t be compared.
Plus, there’s this peaceful and nostalgic daily life without any pressure to accomplish something.
That’s why I can’t help but smile. I’m finally back…
“Boss, this one’s gone crazy!”
“Leave her alone. She must have had a bad dream.”
“It’s nice to talk like this after so long.”
“We talked like this yesterday too. Why are you suddenly getting all sentimental today?”
“…Good point.”
We definitely had this conversation yesterday. And we’ll obviously continue having conversations like this. So why am I suddenly getting emotional?
“Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for me?”
“As if. You’re the one who’s fallen for me.”
“You idiots are having fun.”
“You too.”
As the three of us were bantering as usual, Ju-an joined the conversation.
“What are you guys talking about now?”
“We were discussing how amazing and perfect I am…”
“Sex!”
“Ual!”
Young-min and I cut off Cheol-su’s nonsense with perfect timing and high-fived each other.
“You bastards, seriously.”
“Same as always.”
Then Cheol-su glared at Ju-an and said:
“Why are you here, you traitor?”
“I had nothing better to do.”
“This is so unfair. You’re handsome and smart, and Lite is beautiful, but what do I have?”
Cheol-su grumbled as he walked up to Young-min, put his hand on Young-min’s shoulder, and said:
“At least I have you. If it weren’t for you, I would have killed myself.”
“I agree. Looking at you gives me strength because I think ‘at least I’m better than him.'”
“My life is less messed up than yours though?”
“Yeah~ But I’ve had a girlfriend before~”
Cheol-su walked to the window with a shocked expression and shouted loudly:
“God! Why do you only give me such trials!”
“God’s only failure is right here.”
The four of us killed time with jokes until class started, just like we always did.
***
I fell asleep less than ten minutes after class started. Sleep really does come best at a school desk.
Anyway, Young-min woke me up with a serious expression and asked:
“Hey, I have a serious question.”
“What is it?”
“When you sleep face down like that, don’t your boobs feel heavy?”
“…”
I quietly got up from my seat and grabbed Young-min’s arm with both hands.
“So are they heavy or nooooot!”
Then I executed a shoulder throw on Young-min.
“They are heavy, you crazy girl.”
“Thanks for… letting me know… you crazy woman…”
Young-min groaned in pain but spoke with a satisfied voice.
“So why did you come over?”
“It’s PE time, you idiot…”
Right, we have PE today. I need to change into my gym clothes.
So I went to the bathroom to change into my gym clothes, and when I came back, Young-min was still lying on the floor.
“Hey. What are you doing?”
“You know, you’re really a strange one.”
“I am a special person.”
“No, seriously, isn’t something off about you? You’re clearly a girl. But why do you act like a guy?”
“Are you making gender-stereotypical comments? Am I the only one uncomfortable with this?”
Young-min got up, limping. Did I use too much force? Anyway, Young-min spoke again.
“You’re really weird. You act like a guy but look like a delicate girl, yet you’re stronger than most guys. What’s up with that?”
“Is that a problem?”
“No. It’s great to be able to talk with a super pretty girl.”
“Then why are you such an ugly guy?”
“…You’d be perfect if you just kept your mouth shut.”
“You’d still be an ugly guy even if you kept your mouth shut.”
“I’m upset too! I’m actually decent-looking, but compared to you and Ju-an, I look relatively ugly!”
“If it bothers you so much, you should have been born handsome.”
We walked to the gym together.
***
When we arrived at the gym, I saw Ju-an sitting with a sour expression and Cheol-su playing games as usual.
“I wonder if I can get a grade 4 this time…”
“A real man should at least get grade 3, you should cut off your manhood.”
“I can get up to grade 2. Both of you should cut off yours.”
“I can run grade 1 and still go 30 more rounds. All of you should cut off yours.”
My one comment left all three of them speechless. That’s what happens when you don’t exercise diligently from a young age.
Anyway, while I was basking in the glory of victory, the teacher finally arrived.
“Do your warm-ups and we’ll start right away!”
Great, the only time has come for me to prove that my 19 years haven’t been wasted.
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