Chapter 17: Please Take Care of Me

The brief trip home passed in the blink of an eye, and finally Monday morning arrived.

The walk to class felt much longer than usual.

No matter how lonely it might be, being confined to this school could never be pleasant. Even rolling in a dogshit field would be better than this.

But I had no choice but to run on this predetermined track. Nothing could be done about it.

I entered the classroom, letting out deep sighs.

Since I’d walked slowly, most seats were already taken.

Half the students were either sleeping face down or chatting in groups. Probably mostly arts track students. They were always chattering when they arrived – I wondered how they never ran out of things to talk about.

The other half were writing notes while reading books. They sure were busy even though tests had just ended. Well, midterms were over but the semester wasn’t. Too early to loosen up.

And there was exactly one exception who belonged to neither group.

The one person who turned to look as soon as I entered the classroom.

No need to mention who – of course it was So-yul.

Sensing my presence, So-yul glanced sideways at the door, and upon seeing me, turned her face completely.

I thought she was quite bold, but her friends were too absorbed in conversation to notice.

When I silently met her gaze, So-yul tilted her head slightly.

Then she bit her lower lip and looked at me with drowsy eyes.

Her folding and unfolding hands with a contained smile suggested she wanted to greet me.

It was just a greeting, no need to deliberately refuse. I subtly nodded back in response.

So-yul covered her mouth and giggled, then rejoined her friends’ conversation.

And so, even this early morning, So-yul and I had committed another small transgression.

I must have changed too, compared to before when I’d get worked up just from So-yul acknowledging me.

Finding it amusing, I couldn’t help but smile.

◎

“Everyone worked really hard on the midterms.”

After taking attendance, our homeroom teacher said this.

Though a cliché, it was true that everyone had struggled. Some nodded repeatedly, apparently proud of themselves.

Seeing this, the teacher smiled and said:

“Right. The academic track must have had it especially tough, so relax for a few days. But don’t completely stop studying.”

“We need to start studying for finals from today.”

“Well, finals are important too.”

Someone joked, making the teacher laugh softly. Light laughter also erupted from the academic track students.

Of course, everyone knew it wasn’t really a joke.

Soon the teacher’s gaze shifted. This time to the arts track students.

Simultaneously, long sighs filled the classroom. Some even hung their heads in deep disappointment.

What could make them react like this?

The answer came immediately before I could wonder:

“Arts track, you know the arts festival with outside guests is coming up soon, right? I’m sure you’re preparing your best, but work even harder from today. We’ll be inviting parents and important guests.”

“Yes…”

A weak response came from the arts track side.

Arts festival with outside guests.

Come to think of it, I’d heard about this from Juho. When I’d asked about So-yul. An event where instrument players took the main stage to perform. Something like that’s how he’d explained it.

I’d sat in the audience in my first year. Memories of napping to the brilliant performance sounds came flooding back. I’d forgotten when it was, but it must have been around this time.

Must be tough, I thought, viewing it as someone else’s problem.

Indeed, it was someone else’s problem. If my memory was correct, all students had to attend, but I could just use it as another chance to catch up on sleep. Couldn’t help but watch it like a mere spectator.

…No. This time it wasn’t completely someone else’s problem.

I glanced at where So-yul sat.

So-yul’s eyes, fixed straight ahead in perfect posture, showed no wavering. She was completely different from the surrounding students who were groaning as if annoyed or burdened. If anything, she seemed to show firm determination.

Thinking back to the teacher’s words, it made sense.

The arts festival with outside guests was an event hosting parents and important people.

This must be dozens of times more important to So-yul than mere midterms.

“Well then.”

The teacher started, seemingly trying to change the topic. Today our homeroom teacher also taught first period. It seemed they were about to start class.

However, what followed was completely unexpected:

“We need to pick one person from the academic track to help with the arts festival. Would anyone like to volunteer?”

“…”

The classroom fell dead silent at the teacher’s words. Everyone kept their hands firmly under their desks, as if afraid they might accidentally raise them.

Naturally, I did the same.

The teacher smiled bitterly, as if they’d expected this response.

“I’ll give plenty of volunteer hours. It’s not much, but I’ll give gift cards for your trouble. Oh, and um… there’ll be snacks for the performers during the main show, you can eat those too.”

The teacher kept adding these desperate incentives.

These appeals seemed to prove there was nothing worthwhile about this.

It looked annoying just hearing about it. Obviously it would take away a lot of study time too. I was already cutting into sleep time to study – I couldn’t afford to add another burden.

“…”

Though demanding eyes flew from So-yul’s seat telling me to raise my hand quickly… I decided to completely ignore them.

After waiting briefly for volunteers, the teacher glanced at the clock. Following their gaze, I saw quite a bit of time had passed.

Finally, the teacher shook their head as if making a grave decision.

“Then shall we randomly pick one person from the academic track? No objections, right?”

Well, this was the expected outcome from the start.

Of course no one would eagerly volunteer. And since the teacher was probably ordered from above, they couldn’t give up either. In the end, someone had to take the fall.

Though that one person might be me… no way. There were 30 students in our academic track alone. Statistically, the chances of me being picked were extremely slim, so I decided to relax.

Soon the teacher took out their phone. After manipulating the screen a few times, they looked at the attendance book. It looked like they were checking whose number was chosen.

Then the teacher’s lips parted.

“I’ll announce now.”

Then:

“The person chosen as arts festival helper is…”

◎

“Congratulations on becoming arts festival helper.”

That night, at the walking path bench we hadn’t visited in a while.

So-yul, sitting beside me, offered these moving congratulations.

Though she covered her mouth, the broad smile on her face wasn’t hidden at all. Plus, sounds like “pfft” kept escaping, so she didn’t seem to care much about hiding it. If that’s the case, she might as well laugh openly.

I put my hands in my pockets and leaned back on the bench.

“How did it have to be me out of those thirty people?”

“Because you’re lucky.”

“You mean unlucky.”

“Why? They said they’d give volunteer hours. And what else was it? Tasty snacks?”

“Gift cards. But why should I care? I barely have enough time to study as it is, and now this helper business…”

I was so dumbfounded I lost my words. A deep sigh escaped from within.

“But I think it’s fortunate.”

Despite my complaints, So-yul said this with a bright smile.

“What is?”

“That you were picked as helper.”

“How is that fortunate?”

She talks well without knowing how others feel. Or maybe she knows and is teasing me. Either way, I didn’t care and just laughed derisively.

But So-yul’s words went in a slightly different direction:

“At the arts festival. My parents are coming.”

Her tone was unusually serious. Her expression also showed some tension. It was similar to how she looked this morning when the arts festival preparation came up.

“So this arts festival absolutely must succeed. I have to show them perfect skills. Of course, I can’t make any mistakes. I’m going to practice much more than usual, so I can receive applause from Mom and Dad.”

“…Hmm.”

So-yul had mentioned this several times before.

Wanting to show her parents she could do well on her own. That’s why she couldn’t leave this school. She couldn’t neglect piano practice, and had to focus even on less important exam studies. That’s what she’d said.

I wasn’t completely unaware of this.

But if there was one thing I wondered…

“What does that have to do with me being helper?”

I wondered what she was talking about. She’d said it was fortunate I was picked as helper, then suddenly started talking about her ambitions for the arts festival. I couldn’t follow the flow of conversation.

At my question, So-yul turned her face to look up at me.

Meeting my eyes directly, she drew a bright smile across her face and said:

“Because you’ll help properly even while complaining. I’m sure it’ll make for a better arts festival.”

This was her answer.

“…We’ll see.”

When I evaded with a snort, So-yul slightly tilted her head.

“Why? You complain but usually go along with what I say. Won’t this be similar?”

“You talk like you know everything about me. How long have we even known each other?”

“Of course I know everything. I am your girlfriend after all.”

“Right, sure.”

“It’s true.”

So-yul whined playfully, then chuckled softly and said:

“I even know your face is red now because you’re embarrassed.”

“…”

“Hehe.”

So-yul put her index finger to her lips and grinned.

She really had a talent for teasing people. Though I definitely wasn’t embarrassed about being called out for blushing, I turned my head away anyway.

“Anyway.”

So-yul’s thin voice rang out behind me. Then I heard the sound of clothes being dusted off. She was probably standing up and brushing dust off her clothes.

“I’m going to practice hard from tomorrow. And prepare thoroughly. I need to decide what to wear for the performance. Oh, first I should discuss with everyone what piece to play and for how long. Need to talk about the order too.”

“You’ll be quite busy for a while.”

I said this sarcastically. Well, even I thought it was a meaningless counterattack.

Of course, So-yul wasn’t one to just give up without fighting back.

“Hmm~”

So-yul drew out the sound, then with light tap-tap footsteps came into my field of vision.

Short sleeves and shorts. Her milky white skin was clearly visible. A faint sweet scent followed.

Then she bent down, bringing her face right in front of mine and:

“Well then, I’m counting on you as helper. Boyfriend.”

After whispering just these words with a bright eye smile, she ran off toward the dorms.

“…Good grief.”

After So-yul disappeared, leaving only a subtle fragrance lingering at the bench.

I took out my frustration by kicking a stone stuck in the ground.