episode_0017

17.

“Hmm….”

Han Hyojin pondered deeply, letting out a sigh.

It felt strange to her, as she was usually far removed from worries and concerns.

“Do you have something on your mind?”

“Oh, it’s because of the officer training camp.”

“The officer training camp…?”

She vaguely knew that it was an event where student council executives gathered for the smooth operation of school life.

What could possibly be the issue with that?

As she exchanged glances, Han Hyojin calmly explained, “Originally, the officer training camp was scheduled for mid to early April. However, due to the advancement of the midterm exam schedule, it was agreed to take place after the exams.”

“I heard there wasn’t any particular issue with that?”

“There wasn’t any problem until this point. But when someone named Ahmugae was asked to find a venue and forgot about it until today, a problem arose.”

“What? Who handles things in such a careless manner? This is no joke; it’s unacceptable for the student council. Let me find them and give them a piece of my mind…”

She paused mid-sentence. The increasing trembling sensation next to her was the reason for her sudden halt.

Thinking it might be what she suspected, she turned her head to see Park Ayoung bowing her head with the expression of a guilty party.

“Are you the one who wanted to play around in the student council? The one who handled the task so carelessly? If so, please tap your finger quietly against my thigh.”

Tap-tap-

“Well, it seems the culprit was nearby.”

“Is there no guarantee of anonymity…?”

Park Ayoung retorted in a creeping voice, “Why would a culprit need anonymity?”

“…”

“If you answer with silence, I’ll seem like the bad guy.”

“That’s right… Whispering beside me… It’s worse than the past Park Ayoung who handled tasks carelessly…”

“You’re exaggerating. Comparing me to the past Park Ayoung is unfair… Sorry, it was a joke. Stop pouting and cheer up.”

She patted Park Ayoung’s shoulder. The droplets that had formed in her eyes returned to their original positions, and her downturned mouth returned to its normal position.

While her lower lip still protruded slightly like a duck’s, she managed to speak.

Amused by her cute demeanor, a smile crept across her face. She attempted to withdraw her hand, but Park Ayoung resisted.

Instead, their shoulders pressed closer, and through the palm of her hand, she could feel the texture of skin beneath the shirt. Awkwardly, she blinked.

Why is she acting like this?

Caught up in tangled thoughts, she couldn’t muster the courage to untangle them.

She simply reminded herself that Park Ayoung was always playful and enjoyed physical contact.

Mentally repeating this mantra, her heart lightened. The palpitations became mere irregularities, and she casually withdrew her lips.

“More importantly, why did the great Park Ayoung make a mistake like the annoying Lee Subin?”

“While it’s irritating to see Do Jin senior stumble, I’m curious about why even Ayoung senior made a mistake. I’ll hold back my annoyance.”

“Shouldn’t you thank me here?”

“Of course.”

After a brief exchange, Park Ayoung spoke, “I forgot because Jinwoo kept pestering me to help him study.”

“Are you trying to blame me for your mistake? That would be truly shameless… Bring me back the average 20 points I gave you!”

“I apologize. Even though you had a whole month! It’s not the fault of the teacher who forgot! It’s my fault for distorting your feelings! You’re right!”

“Hmph!”

Ignoring Park Ayoung’s snort, the culprit and the reason were now known. It was time to discuss solutions.

Realizing this, they each prepared for the meeting.

Lee Subin went to a corner to fetch the blackboard. Park Ayoung brought paper and pens to organize the meeting contents. Han Hyojin sat gracefully like a diligent lady.

Once the preparations were complete, Han Hyojin stood up from her seat. In a steady voice, she wrote the meeting title on the board.

“We will now proceed with an emergency meeting to select the venue for the 2nd Officer Training Camp. If anyone has any opinions, please don’t hesitate to speak up.”

“I do!”

“Got it. Let’s hear what you have to say, Lee Subin.”

“In Tokyo, Japan, there’s Disneyland!”

“You went to an amusement park for last year’s training camp, didn’t you?”

Lee Subin shook her head vigorously.

“Don’t lump Yongin Everland and Japan’s Disneyland together under the title of amusement parks! It’s rude!”

“Well, they seemed quite similar when I saw them… Hmm… Since I don’t have a strong opinion right now, I’ll note down Subin’s Disneyland.”

“Yay!”

1. Disneyland.

2.

“Anything else?”

I raised my hand.

“Let’s hear it.”

“You mentioned a leadership training camp. How many people exactly will be attending? Knowing the exact number of participants would make it easier to choose a location.”

“That makes sense.”

Hyojin nodded thoughtfully and gestured for Payoung to respond on her behalf.

“Originally, including the leadership team, there were about ten people, but this year the leadership team declared their absence as they are going on a separate retreat. So, the participants will be five people from the student council and the supervising teacher.”

“Five people should be fine no matter where we go.”

“Yes, as Subin suggested, the amusement park seems nice, or it could be good to go see the sea… Or maybe spend the day at school.”

“Oh, spending the day at school is unique.”

“Not bad.”

Hyojin wrote ‘school (principal’s office)’ on the board. Perhaps because the principal’s office housed convenient facilities.

Of course, that might not be the only reason…

Anyway.

“I’ll take one more suggestion.”

“Chairman, don’t you have a place you’d like to go?”

“I… don’t really have one. I’ve been to all the places I wanted to visit when I was young.”

“Really? The beach is off-limits for the trip.”

“I’m relieved that you’re feeling better.”

Hyojin sneered coldly. Her intention to tease felt like 90%, while her lack of interest in the options felt like 10%.

Well, if she chose from there, she’d probably be sulking all day.

I pondered with a hand on my chin. A place that would pique Hyojin’s interest and also not be a bad location for the retreat…

“How about… a mountain?”

“Hmm?”

“Are you suggesting camping?”

“It’s similar, right? Except it won’t be a typical campsite. We could do some light camping in a nearby mountain or behind the school.”

“Hmm… Not a bad idea.”

“Exactly. Tailored to your needs, Chairman.”

Hyojin tilted her head, then widened her eyes.

“Are you aiming for my outdoor sex fantasy…?”

“No, I’m not!”

It was just a pure intention like, ‘Even chaebols haven’t visited a mountain…’ But even if I got angry, the corrupted intention wouldn’t go away.

“Sigh…”

As I sighed, three locations were written on the board.

1. Disneyland.

2. School (Principal’s office).

3. Camping in the mountains.

“We’ll vote.”

“Is it a secret ballot?”

“There are only four of us. Does secrecy matter? Let me say it clearly several times. As a representative, I’ll show an example. I choose number 3.”

Swiftly, Hyojin added her mark next to camping.

“Now, everyone point out your choice.”

“Me~.”

“Subin, you go first.”

“I choose number 1! Definitely Disneyland! But honestly, I’m fine with anywhere now! They all look fun!”

“A forfeit-like choice for number 1.”

After number 1, Isubin’s mark was written.

Now, only Park Ayoung and I were left.

I lightly tapped her shoulder with my finger.

“Want to go first?”

“Sure.”

Ayoung was lost in thought after receiving the offer. Her lips dropped a bit after some time had passed.

“Number 3 seems the most fun, but…”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t like bugs, so… If it’s in the mountains, there will be lots of bugs, right…?”

It was a typical worry for a girl. Before I could respond, thankfully someone else did it for me.

“My father hires helicopters every year to spray pesticides for landscaping in the mountains behind the school. Concerns about bugs are pointless.”

“Oh, so that was spraying medicine…”

“Mm. Anyway, the worry is resolved. Will Ahyoung choose Park Ahyoung as the vice president today?”

“Hehe, there’s no reason to object.”

3. Camping at the Back Mountain – Han Hyojin, Park Ahyoung.

“It’s decided then.”

“Huh? But Dogi hasn’t voted yet, right? If he votes for number 1, it will be a tie! Even our homeroom teacher should have a voting opportunity!”

“The one who suggested option 3 is Do Jinwoo. Stop having futile hopes and join us quickly.”

“Ugh… If I had three voting rights like a national-level hunter… I would go to Disney Land for training…”

“But didn’t you say anything goes anyway?”

“Well… but it hurts when my opinion loses again. What if my Disney Land gets hurt? Sob! I’ll definitely go find it! Wait for me, Nuna!”

As always, amidst the heated nonsense, Han Hyojin swallowed a hollow laugh after a long time.

“Lee Subin, you have no right to call me strange.”

“When did I ever say the chairman was strange!? I’ve always defended you in front of others… You’re really too much…”

“…”

“What’s with that look? Are you also one of those who belittle tanks? Planning to drop me off a cliff like a novel development!?”

“I won’t push you off a cliff… but one thing’s for sure, your big mouth seems like it would float even if it falls into water.”

They found common ground.

“Don’t mention it!”

“That’s not a compliment.”

“Gasp!”

“You gasped like that.”

“You’re being too rough… If you keep this up, I can only get hurt, right? Oh! Am I going to be teased like Ahyoung senior, patting shoulders!”

Subin grabbed my shoulder and sent me a wary look.

“I caught you.”

“Wow~ It was real. Amazing. Right, Ahyoung senior?”

“I-Is it really…? I-I’m not mentally prepared…”

Caught in the bait thrown by Subin and Ahyoung, they fell for it.

It felt like conducting a social experiment on how limited information can sway a person. Thinking so, I turned my gaze towards Hyojin.

“What’s up?”

“The most important thing. When are we going to our officer training retreat?”

“Tomorrow.”

“…?”

I was speechless.

I couldn’t even say it was a lie.

“Someone go shut their mouths. They’re attracting mosquitoes.”

“…”

“I’ll do it!”

“…”

They should have told me earlier about that…

Today, I was just sighing again.