episode_0019

19.

Like a snack filled with nitrogen, the backpack, which had more air than textbooks, felt heavy with clothes and various items after a long time.

The bag strap pressing on my shoulders felt awkwardly heavy. Seriously, Simma’s voice asking, “Has my school life gone to shit?” echoed in my mind.

As if harboring the possibility of being possessed by evil spirits, my mental defense instinctively reached for my phone.

“Hey, is it okay if this photo goes up on the internet? I roughly know how to avoid it, right?” Simma quietly sank into thought.

Despite such a complex train of thought, my steps leaving the house felt infinitely light.

“Ahh. The perfect weather for camping.”

The bright sunlight greeting me as soon as I stepped outside. Recent gloominess seemed to have laid the foundation for today.

Thinking this, I walked towards the bus stop. It was a distance of less than 10 minutes, but I keenly felt the shift towards summer in the changing seasons.

“Wow… it’s hot.”

Well, May is practically summer….

I couldn’t help but think that soon Han Hyojin would crack a joke about it being summer. Maybe we’ll hear it at this training camp.

Imagining the scene ahead, I arrived at the bus terminal just in time and tapped my transportation card.

[Insufficient balance] “Huh?” Just to be sure, I tried again, but [Insufficient balance] was the consistent response.

“Haha….”

Chuckling awkwardly, I got off the bus.

As expected, if things start smoothly, it’s not me….

***

“Heuk…. heuk….”

I wiped the sweat beads from my forehead. Being someone who easily overheats, today was particularly tough.

Standing at the school gate catching my breath, I noticed a woman’s silhouette beyond the pedestrians.

Long blue hair swaying in the wind and a slender lower body. Contrasted with a tight upper body, she exuded immense beauty.

“…”

“…”

Even as Park Ayoung approached, I missed the timing to greet her due to being momentarily lost in thought. Her outfit was that striking.

Meeting her gaze in silence, a shy Park Ayoung nervously adjusted the hem of her sleeve. Despite fidgeting hands, her eyes trembled pitifully.

It was only then that I regained my composure and greeted her.

“Hello.”

“Hehe…. Hello.”

Park Ayoung responded with a smile. Realizing her attire, she blushed.

Her light yet snug dress and subtly exposed skin, complemented by a cardigan adding maturity, were modestly alluring.

I, too, felt uneasy….

Yet, even in this moment, or perhaps because of it, Park Ayoung’s unique charm radiated strongly.

“They call it a ‘generation gap’ these days, right…?”

Usually dressed modestly, wearing such clothes made her seem special and intriguing.

It felt like watching a cactus you’ve been nurturing suddenly transform into a mature woman and start speaking.

Shaking off the thought, I gave up.

The fact that I was starting to think about someone often ended up hurting them.

For now, I naturally shifted the focus away from Park Ayoung’s embarrassment regarding her clothing.

“Your outfit looks lovely today.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

“Thank you. Oh, by the way, did you have lunch?”

“I had something simple.”

“Really just simple? Did you eat two bowls of rice? If you had bread, did you gobble down three in no time before coming?”

Although said in jest, Park Ayoung noticeably became quieter.

“…Sorry. I asked something unnecessary.”

“Tsk. Don’t put a frame on a lady for eating a lot…. It’s rude, you know. It’s scary to think what else you might do outside.”

“Is this framing…?”

She actually eats a lot.

How much of a foodie was she to spend an hour during the student council meeting discussing where her skinny body stored all that food?

“Were you thinking it was rude? Are you really going to get mad?”

“If truth is a sin…. If honesty is impolite…. Then I was wrong.”

“Wow… No talking with me for 1 minute. Give me a five-step distance. Enjoy solitude somewhere alone…”

“Sorry, but it’s been a minute since you started talking. Could you speak a bit faster, please?”

“You got it!? I deliberately said one minute. If you keep dragging on and on, what’s the point of one minute? Some people can’t talk for five hours, you know?”

Park A-yeong raised her voice after a long time. It was a rare sight that occasionally emerged, in line with her accumulated personality. At times like this, a sly smile formed on her face.

“Don’t laugh.”

“Tsk. I zipped up while coming down. Should I hold my breath too?”

“If you can endure an hour.”

“Teacher… then I’ll die.”

As we chatted, we had unknowingly arrived at the entrance to the back hill.

“Did the chairman specify where to meet?”

“He suggested meeting halfway.”

“Okay, let’s go… Before that! Are you okay with that outfit?”

The dress wasn’t suitable for mountain climbing.

In response to a valid point, Park A-yeong replied as if she had anticipated it.

“I’m wearing shorts underneath, and these shoes look like hiking boots. Besides, according to the chairman, it’s more like a hill than a mountain, so there’s no need to worry too much.”

“If you say so, then it must be fine, but…”

Since hiking involves many variables… it was inevitable that worries would prevail.

Did she sense my concern? Park A-yeong smiled warmly and offered her hand.

“If you’re that worried, shall I support you halfway?”

This could help prevent accidents by adjusting the center of gravity or assisting in case of a mishap.

Impressed by her top-notch strategy, I took Park A-yeong’s outstretched fair hand.

“Yes, as long as you’re okay.”

A weight lifted off my shoulders.

“Let’s go now.”

“Sure…”

We walked side by side up the back hill, except for Park A-yeong playfully poking my finger. Thanks to her, we ascended smoothly, enjoying the surrounding scenery.

Contrary to what Park A-yeong said at the entrance, it didn’t seem much like a mountain. The path wasn’t steep, and it was artificially organized.

On one side, pine and oak trees crowded together. Flowers were plentiful along the path.

To exaggerate, it seemed like rich people had splurged money on this place; damn, I envy them. Just give me a small piece… would suffice.

To put it mildly, it would be like, “Please, just a small piece… would do.”

Isn’t it the same?

It’s all about perspective. All about perspective.

I shrugged and took a few more steps. Faint voices could be heard ahead.

“-Royiki Tenkai! Temporary tent area! Yap yap!”

“Be quiet, it’s serene here.”

“Eh… Normally, the chairman enjoys this the most… always sneaking away pretending to be normal.”

“Life is all about timing.”

Familiar voices of two people.

However, following closely behind were voices that, although familiar, felt strangely unfamiliar.

“Everyone, don’t argue. On the way here, I read a book that said if stranded on a mountain, we shouldn’t fight but unite our strengths.”

“Teacher, what book did you read?”

“It was Robinson Crusoe.”

“You read it properly.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Like a child, the teacher exuded innocence and a gentle aura that was unique in this school.

Having roughly guessed her identity, I asked Park A-yeong.

“Our homeroom teacher, right?”

“Why the homeroom teacher?”

“Is it Teacher Song Min-a?”

“Yeah, oh! Jinwoo, you didn’t know? She’s even in the group chat… You’re not interested in the student council, are you?”

“Sorry… I didn’t have time to check my phone.”

Apologizing, I perfectly engraved the teacher’s identity in my mind.

In reality, making a big deal out of it was unnecessary.

“Teacher Song Min-a is our class homeroom teacher.”

She was indeed the person who often skipped ceremonies and rituals.

Thinking that coincidences like this don’t just happen, we crossed the final hill. A clear view opened up, revealing three figures in the center.

Blonde, black-haired, and chestnut-haired individuals were each touching the tent’s frame. Park A-yeong and I waved simultaneously.

“We’re here!”

“I’m here too!”

Blonde. Han Hyojin tossed her skeleton roughly and spoke.

“Even if you speak quietly, I understand everything. Are you trying to spread rumors that we’re here all over the neighborhood?”

Without even dyeing her black hair, she threw her skeleton far away. Her voice was full of the usual vigor and energy.

“Wow! Doggy Doji senior! Milky-skinned Ayeong senior! You’re here! I missed you! This blonde Gyaru here is violent and only bullied me!”

Too many people, it’s a problem.

Nervously shaking her head, she bowed to Song Mina, the teacher.

“Hello. Teacher.”

“Yes, hello, Jinwoo student.”

Teacher Song Mina greeted and straightened up from her bow.

She was similar in height to Lee Subin or shorter. She was the most fitting person for the word ‘petite.’ However, there were clear differences from Lee Subin…

“Oh my… Ah! There’s a trumpet flower over there! Wow!”

Among the widely spread flowers, there was one that stood out in purple color.

But neither the splendid trumpet flower nor the beauty of nature could divert Teacher Song Mina’s gaze.

“…”

Swish – sway –

I know my onomatopoeia sounds low-grade and trashy, but without it, I can’t express the overwhelming chest.

Swish….

Even though I supported the lower part with my arms.

“…”

A distant mind. Lee Subin, who glanced at the direction of my gaze blankly, sneered.

“A horny bastard….”

Oh dear….

It was distinctly different from lust. This was reverence. It was like when the crazed miners met the demon of the sky, Cheonma!

Anyway, to summarize, Teacher Song Mina was shorter than Lee Subin but more developed than Han Hyojin. Truly a queen….

In addition, I wanted to give a preemptive apology to the people used in the explanation for the boredom.

“Hmm.”

I started to wonder if Han Hyojin would catch on soon. I brushed off my thoughts by running my hand through my hair.

And to dispel Lee Subin’s disdain, I changed the subject.

“What were you all doing?”

“We were setting up tents. Of course, not underwear tents… If you want, we are willing to set up your tent nicely as well.”

“I will politely decline. I don’t know how many times I’ve refused this now….”

I trailed off and rolled my eyes. A gruesome tent murder scene unfolded.

Pieces were scattered all over the floor, showing how brutal it was.

“It’s quite large. Without instructions, it would be difficult to set up, right?”

The pieces were quite large. Probably enough for 10 people to use and still have plenty of space.

“Who brought them? Did you bring the instructions?”

“I had the servant bring them. As for the instructions… aren’t they for the weak-minded?”

Thud – I hit my forehead.

What crime did the poor servant commit…. What sin did we commit to set up these tents?

Sighing heavily, Han Hyojin sent me a meaningful look.

“Surely you can do it?”

“…”

“Become a man….”

“…”

“Scared?”

I couldn’t help but praise Han Hyojin’s teasing skills. Even my heart, which hadn’t thought of struggling, was ignited.

“Of course. Can I not do this either?”

I loosened up and picked up a piece that had fallen to the ground.

“Even worked at a camping gear store.”

“Awesome! Wow! As expected of Doji senior!”

“It’s fortunate that you have such diverse experiences. Keep up the good work. We’ll go look for food while wandering around.”

Huh? Food?

“Are you going to buy meat….”

Before I could ask the question, Han Hyojin was already leading Park Ayeong, Song Mina, and Lee Subin away.

Should I run over and ask now…?

“Hmm…. Oh well.”

Han Hyojin would handle it well on her own.