episode_0018

The midterm grades were out. Subject scores were listed on a long strip of paper, alongside class rankings and overall school rankings.

Name: Kim Maru

Korean Language and Composition: 100

Calculus: 97.5

Ethics and Philosophy: 100

East Asian History: 100

Physics I: 100

Earth Science I: 100

Technology & Home Economics: 100

Chinese: 100

Class Rank: 1/23

School Rank: 1/228

“A weight has been lifted.”

I breathed a sigh of relief as I looked at my report card. This exam was not only a test of my academic performance but also an opportunity to strengthen my strengths as a member of Haneul High School, resisting Ojakgyo’s influence.

Even if I were to fight hard from now on, it wouldn’t be easy to confront the leaders of Ojakgyo directly. In that case, I should change direction and support Kim Noeul.

“Kim Noeul.”

“…What is it?”

“You haven’t forgotten our bet, have you?”

Kim Noeul fidgeted with her lips, seemingly reluctant to show her report card. As I pretended to return to my seat, I subtly reached out and grabbed her report card.

“Huh!?”

Caught off guard, Kim Noeul snatched back her report card.

Name: Kim Noeul

Korean Language and Composition: 100

Calculus: 95

Ethics and Philosophy: 100

East Asian History: 100

Physics I: 100

Earth Science I: 100

Technology & Home Economics: 100

Chinese: 100

Class Rank: 2/23

School Rank: 2/228

“Oh, well done.”

“Are you making fun of me?”

She looked embarrassed and quickly snatched her report card back. With a stern expression, she spoke up.

“So, what’s your wish?”

“Um… I thought about it, but nothing really came to mind. I just agreed to the bet to provoke you.”

“We’ll talk about it later.”

“I’m worried…”

“For now, let’s go to the counseling department’s dinner. The grades are out, and I’ll text Nayeon and Sunbae.”

[Me: Sunbae, are you free today?]

[Me: We planned to eat meat after the exam, remember?]

I sent the message, but the reply was unusually delayed. Kim Noeul seemed unperturbed.

“She must be busy.”

“She’s not usually like that.”

I know Na Yuna’s online habits well, so I didn’t think she would read my message late. She usually responds within 5 minutes, but today, she didn’t.

“Are you not coming?”

Now that it had become a habit to go to school together, it felt awkward to go alone. Kim Noeul was busy putting up a science day poster.

“I’m participating in the science competition, so I’ll be at school after hours too.”

Gyeongsi (Science Competition) means the event is just around the corner.

Jegal Hwaryun, seeing his gang being constantly harassed and their income decreasing, eventually appears at the Heunggo Rotary himself. Despite bringing quite a few people, he worried that Heunggo’s side might be overwhelmed, but Heunggo’s leader intervened, and it ended in a draw.

In fact, it’s impressive that a single leader managed to bring about a draw against the members of Ojakgyo, but I’m not satisfied with a tie.

“It seems like it’s time for her to return as a student, and I’ve been meaning to contact her regarding Kim Noeul’s student council matter…”

“Why are you thinking so hard?”

As I pondered, Kim Noeul poked my cheek. My forehead creased suddenly from the unexpected pressure.

“Nothing. I’ll go ahead then.”

“Will you be lonely going alone?”

She suddenly asked with a serious expression. Overwhelmed by her intensity, I clumsily replied.

“…It’s fine. It’s been a while since the walk home was quiet, so it’s nice.”

“Don’t worry. After the competition, I’ll keep following you around even if you hate it.”

“What?”

Kim Noeul left with a smile without responding to my words. It felt like I had heard something incredible, but since the person in question had already left, I couldn’t question her further.

The spring breeze made my face warm. I cooled my head and walked out of the school.

It was the familiar scenery of the walk home, but it was definitely lonely without someone leading the conversation beside me.

“Should I grab something to eat on the way?”

I headed to the rotary to ease my mouth’s boredom with some snacks. The rotary was filled with food stalls, so much so that it could be called a street market.

Unlike the informal street vendors, all of these stalls were under the jurisdiction of the Student Food Management Committee, so there were no tax issues.

However, since this committee had strong ties to the Ojakgyo [a powerful group], even the food in the school was heavily influenced by Ojakgyo.

“If I think about it that way, Alice, who established this system, is really….”

How great would it have been if she had used her talents for good deeds rather than misdeeds? Would the future have been different if I had planted better memories in her childhood?

It’s meaningless to think about it now.

I bought a skewered chicken from a nearby stall. I took out a long piece of meat from the wrapping and chewed on it.

As I strolled along, I saw a group of students gathered near an alley. They seemed to be surrounding someone, so I couldn’t see clearly from where I was standing.

“Causing trouble on the streets like that….”

In our school, it’s a common sight. If they are openly causing trouble to that extent, it’s probably because they have the backing of Ojakgyo. Regular students would definitely lower their heads if they are affiliated with Ojakgyo.

Teachers or authorities find it difficult to intervene in the school, so these troublemakers run wild.

“Can’t believe the author’s malicious setting has such a negative impact.”

I slowly approached them. Three male students were taunting a female student.

“Hey, your girlfriend looks scared. Comfort her quickly.”

“Seriously, stop it.”

Two of the male students seemed to be harassing her with comments like “Your girlfriend is passing by.” The ridiculed male student looked disgusted as he stormed off.

Upon closer inspection, the surrounded female student had very long bangs and a plump school uniform top.

“…Nayuna, the senior?”

My guess was correct. Nayuna was in the middle of being teased by these troublemakers. On top of that, she was being ridiculed.

“Hey, I didn’t confess to you because I liked you! I confessed after winning rock-paper-scissors. But if you reject me like that, it feels like you’re rejecting me in general.”

“I-I still could have accepted….”

“It just pisses me off that a girl like you rejected me!”

If Na Yuna accepts a false confession, the male student will feel bad, and if she rejects it, he’ll feel bad for being rejected.

‘How easygoing must a guy be to pick a fight with a girl…’

Still, as a member of the same counseling group and with a sense of justice to resolve the absurdity of the students, I couldn’t just ignore the situation.

Approaching them, I greeted Na Yuna, “Hello, senior.”

“…Huh? Maru?”

“What are you doing here?”

Na Yuna raised her head to look at me, and the attention of the male students focused on me. Ignoring their gaze, I tried to pull Na Yuna away.

“You have plans today. Hurry up and come out.”

“Oh, that…”

Na Yuna glanced at the three male students more than me, indicating deep-rooted fear.

“You shouldn’t be here right now, so just leave.”

“Are you her boyfriend or something?”

“Wow, you’re being rude to that guy.”

The male students started to mock me and Na Yuna fiercely. It seemed they had no intention of letting Na Yuna go unless I dealt with these three.

“What do you want?”

“What do I want? Hmm… compensation for the mental damage from that girl? Just give me 100,000 won.”

As expected, money was their goal. Na Yuna’s complexion changed as the target shifted to me.

“It’s not Maru, but I’ll pay! I’ll take care of it!”

“Anyone’s fine, just pay up and get lost.”

I glared at the guy who kept telling me to leave. Judging by his size, he seemed to be in charge of the muscle.

Carefully, I spoke up, “If it’s 100,000 won… huh? What’s that?”

“What? Where are you looking?”

“Oof!”

I turned my head and landed a punch on the face of the male student, buying some time. The hit student collapsed, crushing the other two female students and fell to the ground.

“Argh! You crazy bastard! You’re heavy!”

“My… my face…!”

“Senior, now’s our chance, quickly!”

Na Yuna was held by my hand and ran for a while. Until we got out of the rotary, we breathed heavily. Na Yuna seemed about to collapse due to her weak stamina.

“Huff, Maru, I can’t… run anymore…”

“Don’t force yourself if it’s hard.”

“Huff… huff…”

Watching her heaving chest and flushed face as she struggled to catch her breath, I felt a strange sensation and quickly averted my gaze.

“Why on earth did you get caught? You could have just run away.”

“My running speed is slow… As you can see, my body isn’t built for this…”

Her explanation immediately made sense. After all, her physique wasn’t suited for physical activity.

“Sorry, it’s because of my body…”

“Your body?”

I didn’t understand her statement. My reaction seemed to puzzle Nayuna as well, as she gave me a quizzical look.

“Phew, isn’t that rude? People usually dislike it.”

“…Isn’t it a good thing?”

“What?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

I considered giving her a compliment, but sensing the sensitivity of the topic, I decided to steer clear of it. However, Nayuna’s face had already turned red again.

“A good thing? Is it really a good thing?”

“No, why are you getting so worked up?”

As I spoke to her with a concerned expression, I suddenly felt the dampness of my uniform. I realized that it had been drizzling lightly for a while now.

Now, however, the rain was coming down more heavily, causing our clothes to become quite wet.

Nayuna stared at my soaked shirt. When I shot her a cold glance, she averted her eyes.

“S-Sorry. I got too excited.”

“The rain is getting heavier, let’s hurry back. We can have our gathering another time.”

“Do you have an umbrella?”

“No, we can just run.”

“The boys’ dorm is far…”

As Nayuna pondered, she hesitantly began speaking.

“My dorm is nearby… Do you want to change into dry clothes…? You might catch a cold. I’ll bring an umbrella. I’m really grateful for your help today…”

“……”

“I-I’m sorry! I misspoke! Please don’t report me!”

“Okay.”

“Huh?”

“Let’s go to the senior’s dorm.”

“For real…?”