Chapter 15: Have a Good Trip

I’d seen a marathon when I was young. I definitely hadn’t gone to cheer anyone on, and I certainly hadn’t run in it myself, so I must have watched it on TV.

In my hazy memories, what stood out most were the runners’ expressions near the finish line.

Though they must have paced themselves from the start, I found it fascinating how they all looked like they were dying as they approached the goal.

But… looking at everyone around me now, that wasn’t strange at all.

Friday afternoon, as the long midterm period finally ended.

The moment the teacher left after collecting the answer sheets from the last period, every student in the academic track classroom simultaneously slumped onto their desks as if coordinated.

They looked so lifeless they might as well have been corpses. If Juho had seen this scene, he probably would’ve wanted to film a zombie movie.

Well, they must be exhausted after pulling all-nighters for days. Some had already fallen asleep. It was complete chaos.

Among these living zombies, I was the first to leave my seat.

Until last year, I would’ve been just like them. Somehow this exam felt much more comfortable.

I hadn’t felt particularly anxious while studying. Even when confused by test questions, I could calmly think back and choose answers. Everything felt different from last year.

Maybe my escapades with So-yul had helped.

Compared to last year when I’d only focused on studying, I now had a major stress outlet. It gave me a sense of breathing room.

In that sense, maybe I should be grateful to So-yul.

The hallway was bustling with people trying to leave the building. At a glance, most were arts track students. They probably hadn’t stayed up all night studying, so they looked fine. Their expressions were all excited.

This seemed like the right reaction after finishing exams.

As I trudged along mixed in with the crowd.

Tap tap, fingers poked my back.

I turned around without thinking much, and there stood none other than So-yul.

In her crisp uniform, hands behind her back, head slightly tilted, wearing a bright smile.

Then she whispered in a voice only I could hear:

“Long time no see, boyfriend.”

“Hey, what are you…”

Had she really lost her mind?

“Come with me for a bit.”

When I whispered back, So-yul kept smiling and cheerfully answered “Okay!”

This wasn’t the time to be responding so energetically.

I checked our surroundings and headed up some nearby stairs. So-yul followed about ten steps behind me, tiptoeing along.

I stopped when the other students’ voices had faded.

When I turned around, So-yul stood right in front of me, still wearing that bright smile.

Looking straight down at that smile, I said:

“This isn’t the time to be smiling.”

“Why?”

So-yul tilted her head. I couldn’t tell if she really didn’t know or was just pretending.

“How can you say ‘boyfriend’ where there are so many people?”

“What’s wrong with that? It was so noisy nobody heard. Probably.”

“‘Probably’ isn’t good enough.”

What was she thinking, saying things like that when we might get caught?

I couldn’t help but laugh at how ridiculous it was. So-yul looked up at me and snickered. She really had a talent for making my heart race.

As we just exchanged glances, So-yul soon let out a “hmph.”

“So? How’d your midterms go?”

“Well, decent enough.”

Thanks to you, I think I did better than usual. Thank you. …But I definitely couldn’t say anything that embarrassing out loud. I kept my gratitude to myself.

“How about you?”

“Hmm? I think I did pretty well.”

“Is that so.”

“Yeah.”

So-yul nodded emphatically, then looked at me intently and said:

“Thanks to someone who taught me kindly.”

“…I barely taught you anything.”

“I didn’t say it was you?”

“…”

“Just kidding. It was you.”

She covered her mouth and giggled. She was always looking for ways to tease people.

Soon So-yul walked over to the window. I followed and stood behind her. A sweet scent, either from her hair or uniform, tickled my nose.

So-yul leaned against the window, looking outside. I also gazed out. Through the window, we could clearly see the wide sports field and school gate.

Unusually, the gate was wide open today.

“Are you going home today?”

So-yul’s question probably came from seeing the gate, just like my thoughts.

Students at this school rarely got chances to go outside. One of those rare occasions was today, after midterms ended.

We could briefly go home after exams. Though we could only stay from Friday to Sunday, just being able to leave here felt like heaven.

Staring blankly outside, I answered:

“Yeah. Even though there’s nothing at home, this is pretty much the only chance to go beyond the fence unless we get a pass.”

“Is that so?”

“You’re different since you get lots of chances to go out, like last time.”

“I guess that’s true.”

So-yul quietly agreed.

She probably went out often for competitions and performances. Though we shared the same feelings about the school being stifling, our situations were quite different.

“What will you do at home?”

“Well, I’m tired so I’ll sleep first.”

“And after that?”

“Eat. There’s a convenience store near home, so I’ll probably buy a lunch box there.”

“Eat something healthy.”

“Is that why you’re so short? From eating too healthy?”

“…And here I was trying to be considerate.”

So-yul grumbled in a sulky voice. Hearing it, I realized I’d been quite insensitive. I scratched my neck awkwardly and said “Sorry.”

“Are you going home too?”

At my question, So-yul just slightly turned her head to look at me.

Her delicate face wore a bitter smile.

“No. I can’t.”

“Can’t go?”

“Yeah. Mom and Dad are abroad right now. The school knows, so they told me not to leave.”

“I see.”

How thoughtful of them to keep track of even these details. This school is really thorough. If only they’d use that ability to care about other things that actually matter.

So-yul looked back out the window and said:

“Then I won’t get to see my boyfriend’s face all weekend~ How sad~”

She said this in a tone that didn’t sound sad at all.

I crossed my arms and replied:

“What’s the point of seeing me when I’m not really your boyfriend? Besides, we haven’t been seeing each other much lately anyway.”

“We saw each other in class.”

“I didn’t look. I was afraid you’d pull some prank if our eyes met.”

“Hmm~”

So-yul drew out the sound, then:

“But I was always looking at you.”

“That’s exactly why I didn’t look.”

“Oh really?”

Annoyed that her teasing didn’t work, So-yul stomped her foot. She really had a bad personality. It was completely different from how she acted in class.

“Why don’t you act like this in front of others too?”

“How could I? Then everyone would realize I’m not actually nice.”

Isn’t that just the truth? Of course, saying that out loud might get me kicked. Maybe instead of the floor, she’d kick me. Better to keep that thought to myself.

“Anyway.”

So-yul started, turning around. Her amber hair fluttered, and the ribbon on her uniform swayed gently. Her lips held a slightly mischievous smile.

“Now that midterms are over, we can do bad things again when you get back.”

“True. Though it’s uncertain whether I’ll participate.”

“What?”

So-yul put her hands on her hips and said:

“I specially waited without doing anything because it was exam period. Shouldn’t you follow along with me that much in return?”

“No…”

I didn’t remember making any such deal. It’s not like she was the only one studying hard for exams, so I didn’t feel like she’d made any particular sacrifice. There wasn’t really any reason I had to go along with her.

However.

Since I didn’t completely dislike our escapades either.

“Alright.”

I ended up giving this answer.

Satisfied with my response, So-yul’s lips quickly spread into a smile. Then she raised one hand and waved it lightly at me.

“Good. Well then, have a nice trip.”

“Yeah, you take care too.”

“Mhm. See you Monday.”

After this brief reply, So-yul smirked and said:

“Until then, I’ll think about what to do when you get back.”

Leaving only these words, she passed by me and went down the stairs.

Her light footsteps echoed tap-tap, then So-yul disappeared into the crowd of other students.

Saying she’d think about what to do – that was worrying. I could only fear what she was planning this time. I just hoped it wouldn’t be anything too dangerous.

But at the same time… I felt a tiny bit of anticipation rising up.

Even I found myself a little ridiculous.