episode_0006

6.

Checking the time, the minute hand was already racing towards 9 o’clock.

Probably around ten students from the Han Hyojin and Park Ayoung group were the last ones.

I handed over the stolen items and the notebook where I had written down names to the nearby teacher and returned to my seat.

There, Lee Soobin stood with a nonchalant posture.

“You managed not to run away.”

“Isn’t my identity already exposed? What’s the point of running away? Are you stupid? You’re an idiot, aren’t you? Clueless fool.”

“Ah… I wanted to let you go… but the insults hurt too much, so I can’t let you go.”

“I’m sorry. It’s a pure expression of affection that doesn’t contain any sincerity. Please forgive me~ I’ll behave in school without causing trouble!”

“It’s actually a lie. We can’t just leave an ecological disruptor at school. I’ve already submitted everything with names, grades, and classes written down.”

Lee Soobin’s expression turned desolate.

“You really stirred up trouble with the puppy topic. If I get scolded by the vice president, it’ll be because of you.”

“When did I ever bother you?”

“Right now. You’re bothering me quite maliciously.”

“It’s your mood.”

I shrugged and sat down on the chair. Lee Soobin also sat subtly on the adjacent seat, observing me in that manner.

Lost in thought, I picked up the bread and drink that Han Hyojin had brought from the table.

“Did you eat?”

“No…. I rushed out and didn’t eat.”

“Try to have breakfast whenever possible.”

Saying that, I handed her the bread and drink.

“You want me to eat this?”

“Yes.”

“Wow~ Your consideration is amazing. Even if my name wasn’t Doji, I might have been thrilled? With that tone, it almost felt like the heavens were descending in the chairman’s voice.”

“Don’t mimic that tone. The chairman is a senior preparing for the college entrance exam, so it’s somewhat forgivable, but you’re just a bright first-year student.”

“What does age have to do with a respectful tone? If you don’t like it, just say it’s inappropriate regardless of age.”

“The madness of a test-taker is akin to the essence of gambling…”

Lee Soobin made a subtle expression.

“You’re quite similar to the chairman. Not sure what’s different between weird catchphrases and harassment?”

“Don’t say harsh things and eat your bread. I might just snatch it back.”

“Taking and snatching back is the most lethal tactic.”

Sticking her tongue out, Lee Soobin pouted.

“Why are you sticking out your tongue? Want me to pull it out?”

“Sorry….”

“Fine, put it back in quickly.”

“Okay~.”

Lee Soobin retracted her tongue. But perhaps feeling empty without the taste buds, she finally started eating the bread.

Munching-

It was a regular-sized soboro bread, but as she began eating, it somehow looked larger. Probably because her hands were so small.

Watching her eat quietly, I couldn’t help but think of a rabbit, a small animal, for some reason.

Indeed, the rule that small things are cute seemed to apply even to arrogant juniors.

Just as I was nodding my head in agreement with that thought…

I felt a sharp gaze directed at me.

Turning my head, I saw Lee Soobin shooting laser beams with her eyes.

“Why.”

“Did you just think I was small?”

“…”

“Do you really think I am? Wow… I only recently started thinking about it, but focusing on a woman’s height is equivalent to focusing on her chest.”

As she poured out words rapidly, I vaguely grasped what her complex was about.

“Well, since she’s so small, she must have been teased a lot.”

As a defense mechanism, she seemed to be quite sensitive about her height.

“Alright, I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. You’re a senior, part of the student council, and still inexperienced, so I’ll let it slide for now.”

“Thank you.”

“Of course, you should be thankful!”

Responding energetically, Lee Soobin resumed eating the bread. As the quantity decreased rapidly and crossed the halfway mark, she asked:

“Why were you late today?”

“I wasn’t late.”

“Being late for school isn’t the issue, but you were late for the student council work.”

“Oh….”

She meticulously organized her thoughts and began her story.

“I’m not lying today, I left home early, around 6:30, right?”

“Uh-huh.”

“But oh no! As soon as I passed the alley in front of my house, a man who looked like a stalker started reciting poetry to me.”

“What did you say?”

“Hehehe! The popular star from Garam High School! He said I couldn’t pass unless he gave me an autograph! So, I signed it and even gave some fan service, and before I knew it, it was already 7 o’clock.”

This is just the beginning of the story.

Why are there so many lies already? Feeling a headache coming on, I asked about the next development.

“I arrived at the main gate at 8:40. Where did the remaining time go?”

“Well, after passing the stalker, I encountered an elephant. It was running towards me, so scared, I chose to turn back.”

“An elephant….”

“Probably from a nearby zoo. Seems like it escaped from Seoul Grand Park. Not sure if it made it back home.”

I closed my eyes tightly.

She was more mischievous than expected.

I sighed internally. It seemed like Lee Subin’s story was far from over.

“And finally, near the school, I encountered a terrifying and huge-!”

“…”

“-cat. A black cat pounced on me. I wanted to run, but I fought back despite the scratches on my back. Like this, like this.”

Lee Subin gestured with clenched fists, swinging them in the air.

“So… I was late. Yes.”

“You want me to believe this story…?”

“Believe me~ Waking up early and meeting the cat were real~. So, half of it is true, and within Doji’s range of belief.”

Was waking up early really true…? I thought that was a lie too.

“Sigh, I’ll believe you. But do you always switch to aegyo like this?”

“It’s normal, isn’t it? Normally, I get scolded. Our vice president is kind to Doji but strict with me. Shouting and nagging are no joke.”

Hmm… Park Ayeong was indeed prone to meddling and nagging.

Even when we weren’t close, she was like that. How much worse would it get now that we were closer?

Listening to Lee Subin’s testimony, I could roughly guess.

“Still, not bad, right?”

“Not good.”

“It might not be good now. But wait until you age a bit. Oh, Doji senior cared a lot for me… That’s what I think.”

“Do you want a fight?”

“Did I hit a nerve? Why say something mean.”

Lee Subin naturally raised the corners of her mouth.

Her smile was cute overall, but like thorns on a beautiful flower, mischief lurked in her laughter.

It felt like poking a hornet’s nest for no reason.

I quickly decided to hand her over to someone else.

And that person wasn’t far away.

“Lee Subin.”

A cold voice echoed from behind.

Lee Subin’s head stiffly turned like a rusty machine.

There stood Seolnyeo, with long blue hair flowing, her arms crossed.

“Ayeong…, senior….”

Lee Subin spoke hesitantly, looking at me urgently.

It was a look asking for help, but…

“Sorry, but I’m powerless in the student council. You have to handle Vice President’s abilities… It’s all up to you, Subin.”

“Where… where is that? We’ve been having fun chatting and gossiping together until now!”

Park Ayeong replied urgently to Lee Subin’s outburst.

“When did I ever… I’ve always been on your side, our super charming Park Ayeong. Hey, Ayeong! Today, the late accounting is blaming you for gossiping behind your back!”

Park Ayeong’s momentum grew stronger.

“You were late… and yet you dare gossip about me behind my back? Lee Subin will stay behind once work is done.”

“Ah~ Senior, why do you gossip about me! As you know, I don’t like people talking behind my back!”

“No. I’ve felt it a lot during the 3 years of living together with Subin. Subin is different in words and actions.”

Had trust already hit rock bottom?

But what could I do?

If it’s all Subin’s doing.

I cheered while watching her scolding.

“I said earlier too, even moments of scolding will turn into good memories as time passes. Just endure this moment!”

“…”

“Stay strong, Su Bin!”

Swiftly changing my steps, I headed back to school.

Though the blow to the back of my head stung, I decided to think of it as the last leaf falling on a winter day.

***

As time passed, it was lunchtime.

I headed to the convenience store for a quick solution.

Due to the morning uniform check, there were occasional glances from recognizable people. Of course, they only looked from afar, like monkeys at the zoo.

I already felt distanced from my daily life.

Thinking so, I sensed intense gazes nearby.

Have I already gained a fan?

I looked in the direction of the gaze.

A black hat brim reminiscent of a duck’s bill peeked out down the corridor to the right.

Today, there weren’t many who wore hats to school, surveilled me, and sent chilling glares.

‘No, just one person?’

Smiling, I gestured for them to come over.

After a minute or two, the hesitant duck came closer.

“…”

As expected, it was Su Bin.

She glared at me with a sullen expression.

“Hello, foolish, stupid, traitorous trash senior.”

“That nickname is too long. Shorten it.”

“If I don’t say it like this, my feelings won’t be properly conveyed. And if it bothers you, you should have ignored it.”

“Fair enough.”

It was a lot to handle from the betrayal perspective.

Narrowing my steps slightly, I met Su Bin.

“Have you eaten?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s go eat. I’ll buy you bread or snacks.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Her expression noticeably brightened.

“You’re a generous senior Do Ji.”

“Why do you take that title so lightly?”

“It’s not light at all. I’m not a light woman.”

“Who said you were.”

As I shrugged, Su Bin poked my side.

“To tell the truth, I don’t really like bread.”

“You ate well in the morning though.”

“I was starving, and I ate it out of courtesy since you offered. I’m not that shameless.”

“Fair point.”

Su Bin snorted.

“I know too. So, are you buying something for your cute junior? How about an Americano and a ciabatta sandwich?”

“I can’t afford expensive items.”

“Oh, too bad~ If that’s the case, let’s skip the expensive menu and decide at the convenience store. Thank you in advance.”

“You have good manners. You pass.”

“Yay, I passed. Will you give me a necklace too?”

“Sorry, no passing necklace.”

The conversation with the girl who stood out from the usual crowd in time and place.

Surprisingly, it was comfortable without any awkwardness.

Perhaps the student council… might be tied by fate like possession.

“Oh. All the bread is sold out…”

At Su Bin’s voice,

My thoughts quickly concealed their traces like dust being swept away.

“Too bad.”

“That’s how it goes!”

Spring at 18 came back to me.

It was still an ongoing spring.