episode_0009

“President.”

“Yes! Seojin-nim!”

“…Please, feel free to call me casually.”

“I can’t do that! How could I call you casually, Seojin-nim!”

I am currently in the club room.

…Sitting in the president’s chair, with the president sitting next to me, offering me a drink.

“You don’t have to do this just because I’m not leaving the club.”

“But….”

“It’s too burdensome if you’re too persistent, should I leave….”

The president swallowed a sigh.

“Oh, I won’t! I won’t do it.”

The president got up and went to sit on the opposite side.

“So, what kind of activities does the club do?”

The president asked, placing the cute mug the president handed over on the table.

“Right. Basically, at Saebek High School club, we have to submit performance reports once each semester.”

“Performance reports?”

“Yes. Each club has to submit a report in order to receive activity funds. Also, based on those reports, the club’s survival is determined in the end-of-year club performance evaluation.”

I see. It seems like they adopted that system because there are a lot of clubs.

“So. I’ll show you last year’s report for our club.”

The president took out a file from the cabinet.

“This is a copy of the performance report we submitted last year.”

I received the file from the president.

《Subculture Club Second Semester Performance Report》

Under the large title, there was a photo.

A photo of five men and women posing together.

…Interestingly, a senior who looked like the president was cosplaying.

“How is it, junior! Am I pretty?”

It was an undeniable fact.

“…Yes. You’re pretty.”

“Oh, stop it.”

Ignoring the president who was not embarrassed at all, I turned my gaze back to the report.

“Oh.”

For a club with few members, they were quite active.

They had participated in various events, set up booths to sell goods, or participated in cosplay events.

The records of such events were filled with photos.

“It’s more active than I thought.”

“Right? That’s why, Seojin… Ahem, I’m really happy that you, Jin-ho, will join the club.”

The president, who changed the way they addressed me, said.

“Because you have proven drawing skills! And we can go to cosplay events together!”

“I won’t do it.”

“Aw.”

After looking through the last page of the report, the president covered it and put it back where they took out the documents.

“So, when there are no events like these, is it usually free time?”

“Yes. Except for working during event preparation periods, it’s mostly free time. If there’s any activity you want to do, feel free to suggest it anytime.”

“I’ll let you know if I think of anything.”

Fortunately, it seems like a pretty relaxed club.

The activities were things you could do as a hobby.

“Then, here!”

The president handed me a piece of paper and a pen they brought from somewhere.

It was a club membership application form.

“I look forward to working with you in the future.”

I quickly wrote my name in the signature space.

“You don’t have to be so formal.”

Although the president was using honorifics with me, who was two years younger, well, they were a person who suited the honorifics character.

The president hugged the membership application form as if it were a treasure, with a bright smile on their face.

* * *

On a peaceful morning.

On that day, as usual, I walked to school with Yoon Jiwu and his friends.

As I entered the classroom with my sluggish body, Hong Yeonseo flew in, blushing.

Seriously. She almost flew from her seat and stood in front of us.

“Hi! Hey guys! Will you come to cheer for me at the national competition next week?”

“Wow! You surprised us!”

This guy. Is he receiving some kind of correction from the world of romantic comedies? His physical abilities are no joke.

Actually, he’s not a superhuman or anything like that, right?

I hope he can hold back the supernatural drift.

My dream is to just relax and eat at home.

By the way, how long has it been since he joined the school and is already participating in the competition?

As we walked to our seats, we continued our conversation.

“You’re already participating in the competition?”

“Yeah, the coach gave me the opportunity.”

Well, I haven’t seen Hong Yeonseo’s skills with my own eyes, but I’ve seen videos of his games, and listening to his morning bragging, it seemed plausible.

It’s not for nothing that he’s been given the grand nickname of the goddess of women’s handball.

“If you’re at that level, I might even consider using you as a coach.”

“Hmph! Finally, you’ve realized my true worth. Seo Yijin!”

I already knew.

“Well, send me the schedule later. I’ll come if I have time.”

“Okay!”

After chatting with Hong Yeonseo, Lee Se-ah, and Lee So-yoon, I checked today’s timetable and took out my textbooks from the locker to put them in the desk drawer.

Now, it really feels like I’ve become a real student.

In fact, during elementary and middle school, I mostly slept through classes, so it’s even more so now.

I took out the pencil case from the desk drawer and took out the jelly pen with a soft handle that was in the stationery set Lee Se-ah gave me.

…Come to think of it, Se-ah’s birthday is not far away.

April 1st. The time when cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

Since it’s a weekend, maybe I should suggest going to see the flowers.

No, it might be better to subtly hint to Yoon Ji-woo.

Perhaps, she would be happier that way.

This time, maybe six of us will go out instead of four.

I quickly became close with Sung Yurin and Hong Yeonseo. I even invited them to the group chat room that was originally just for the four of us.

Surely, the influence of romantic comedies in the world can’t be ignored.

But that doesn’t mean the main characters neglect their relationships with other classmates.

It’s just me feeling that way. Darn it.

Actually, I still haven’t memorized the faces and names of half of the classmates.

…Doesn’t it usually take about a month?

“Seo Yijin….”

As I continued my thoughts, a familiar voice woke me from my reverie.

I turned my head and saw Sung Yurin.

What’s up? This guy rarely talks to me first, except on the day of the entrance ceremony.

“Why?”

“Come here for a moment.”

Sung Yurin led me to a corner of the classroom, conscious of the other girls around.

“Why all of a sudden?”

“Well, um. It’s Se-ah’s birthday soon.”

What a coincidence. It seems Sung Yurin was also thinking about Se-ah’s birthday.

“Oh, right.”

“That day. It’s on the weekend, so, um, would you like to come to my house…?”

“Why are you telling me this so secretly?”

“You can, um, tell her instead… for me.”

Excuse me. Sung Yurin….

This guy. He usually speaks well and doesn’t have trouble, but he seems to struggle with this kind of conversation.

Is he really an outsider?

“Just tell Se-ah.”

“You’re, um, the closest to me….”

Me?

Although I wanted to ask, Sung Yurin’s expression was pleading, so I nodded my head reluctantly.

“Okay, got it. I’ll write it in the group chat. But even if I do, the others will probably ask you anyway.”

“I’m confident in answering their questions.”

Sung Yurin regained his poker face.

Ah, I understand that feeling a little. I’m confident in passively responding too.

“Hmm. I was thinking of suggesting going to see the cherry blossoms on her birthday.”

“Um, then, we can go see the flowers in the morning and then hang out at my place….”

“Well, that’s not a bad idea. But won’t it be tiring to take the bus back and forth?”

“…Bus?”

For a moment, we felt like we were on different wavelengths.

“If we’re going to see the flowers, we should go to a place with a lot of cherry blossoms.”

“Is that so.”

“Yeah.”

“……?”

What’s wrong? What’s the matter, Seong Yurin?

“…Ah. I see. It seems like I haven’t said anything yet.”

“What?”

Seong Yurin, who was pondering for a moment, raised her head.

“Um. I’ll tell you later. There won’t be a need to take the bus. Someone I know can give us a ride.”

“Got it.”

I was curious about what she was talking about, but since she said she would tell me later.

Well, all I could do was wait.

By the way, if it’s someone you know… if it’s family, you wouldn’t usually express it like that.

Leaving behind small doubts.

We finished our conversation and returned to our seats.

Just in time. Almost exactly on time, the bell signaling the end of homeroom rang, and the homeroom teacher also came in.

“…Jina.”

Whispered Isoyun to me as the homeroom continued.

“Why.”

I replied in a lowered voice.

“What did you talk about with Yurin?”

“Oh. It was just a small talk.”

Since we’ll all find out later in the group chat, there’s no need to explain it in detail.

“Oh, okay….”

Something. It seems like it got a little gloomy.

Just as I was about to say it, the timing was off as homeroom ended.

It’s probably nothing, right.

* * *

“Ugh. I don’t want to go to the academy.”

After finishing school classes and walking towards the academy classes that were about to start, the girl stopped her steps at the playground.

An empty playground with no one around, the girl sat on the swing and gently swayed her body.

The girl didn’t want to study.

There were no stories in studying.

The girl liked stories.

In storybooks, the girl could become a queen, a soldier, or a merchant.

And sometimes, she tried being a princess deeply in love.

But.

There’s always an end to a story.

When she closed the book, the girl’s world turned back into reality.

Although she was still a young girl, she felt the gap even more keenly.

She didn’t expect romantic adventures overflowing with romance in fairy tales. Just a small change.

Wishing for a small change. That day, the girl delayed her steps to the academy.

How long did she spend like that.

Creak, creak.

The sound coming from the swing, stiff from lack of oiling, woke the girl up.

“Don’t stay too long. Your parents will worry.”

The girl checked the time on her small phone, stood up from the swing, and picked up her bag from the ground.

“Look at this, it looks so cute.”

“Is that Isoyun? Your name is pretty too. Do you want to go play with the boys?”

Two dark shadows approached the girl.