episode_0020

20.

Even expensive and large tents were all pretty much the same in terms of purpose and appearance. By examining the holes in the main body or the length of the frame, setting it up was not difficult.

Moreover, with the added skill from repeatedly pitching and folding tents at the camping goods store, the tent was set up in no time.

Thud—shaking the frame, I didn’t even flinch to check if it was properly secured to the ground.

I smiled satisfactorily and stretched. Despite only assembling it for a short while, my muscles were already quite tense.

“Well, having a young body does have its advantages.”

Fatigue dissipated quickly through stretching. There seemed to be no sign of diminishing stamina either.

The secret to balancing part-time work and school life wasn’t really a secret, as I could manage both without any visible strain.

After a brief stretch, I assembled the camping gear that the butler had prepared.

Each item had an emblem on it. Given the relatively high price of these Japanese branded items, it wasn’t common to find them color-coordinated like this.

I couldn’t help but think that chaebols were indeed different.

Thinking so, I leaned back on the unfolded chair. As my body and mind relaxed, I suddenly became concerned about the missing companions who hadn’t returned yet.

Despite pitching the tent quickly, it took roughly an hour and thirty minutes. Whether for a walk or to gather provisions, they should be back soon to maintain normalcy.

“Hmm… Where could they have lost their way?”

Of course, Han Hyojin was the leader in the backyard. Although the mountain wasn’t exactly a mountain but more like a small hill in the backyard….

Even with such nitpicking, the mountain’s uniqueness remained unchanged.

It might just be a formality. First, I dialed Park Ayoung’s phone number.

“It’s probably just my imagination….”

Ring! A nearby phone rang.

Looking around curiously, I easily spotted the source as Park Ayoung’s bag.

“Wait… Why is she carrying around a cell phone?”

Isn’t it amusing how essential phones are for modern people?

I chuckled at the absurdity, but at the same time, I thought that despite her mature appearance, Park Ayoung seemed to have an immature side.

Regardless, since her behavior wasn’t proper, I would have to scold or reprimand her when she returned.

Making a mental note, I stood up from my seat. Just as I was about to set off to find them…

Loud voices came from the direction the group had walked off to.

“Honestly, those mushrooms would’ve been fine to eat…. Among the pretty ones, there weren’t any bad ones, so why call them poisonous mushrooms?”

“You should be cautious with flashy mushrooms. Especially in nature, touching any mushroom recklessly can be dangerous.”

“Aww….”

“If Subin really wants to eat them, I won’t stop her. But this will be our last meeting….”

“If you scared us like that, how can we eat them!”

They may not have been productive, but thanks to them, the group returned unharmed.

Sighing heavily, I noticed Subin, who had been walking at the front, had spotted me.

“Wow! Doji Sunbae! Did you come out to meet me?!”

Subin rushed towards me and threw herself at my abdomen. I subtly moved my waist back to absorb the impact.

As she safely nestled into my arms, Subin exhaled deeply.

“Phew….”

“What are you doing so recklessly?”

“Do you really think this was safe? I did it because it was dangerous!”

“…”

“Don’t look at me with that ‘why’ face! There’s no reason here, so it’s hard to answer!”

What should I do with you?

Shaking my head, I gently let Subin down. As her feet touched the ground, she bounded towards the tent like a fish returning to water.

“Wow! A tent!”

I smiled at her excitement and glanced back at the remaining group.

Although I didn’t mention it to Subin, there were traces of dirt on the group’s faces, indicating they had been playing in the mud.

“Where did you come from, a mud field?”

“Well, if you must know, we were playing in the vegetable garden.”

“The vegetable garden? Suddenly?”

“Huh? Didn’t we say we were going to look for provisions before leaving?”

I blinked.

It wasn’t for provisions… It was for gathering, wasn’t it?

“…So you didn’t bring any separate ingredients?”

He asked, lips pursed.

“Right. None.”

“…”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“What’s so obvious about it…?”

“It’s camping with the intention of feeling nature. Isn’t the fun and excitement only truly experienced when you gather and cook everything yourself?”

“…”

Unpleasantly, there was no solid ground for a rebuttal. In fact, if the purpose was to experience nature, then this approach was actually correct.

However, the reason for his sudden sulkiness was simply due to not being able to indulge in expensive meat with Han Hyojin’s money.

So, this was his final act of petulance.

“If you want to feel nature, you should live in the nude, not in clothes…. Wait! Stop! Why is your hand moving towards the hem of your clothes?! I told you not to try to undress!”

“To truly feel nature, shouldn’t we return to a natural state ourselves? Chairman Park Ayoung and the teacher should quickly strip down without leaving a trace.”

“I apologize… I misspoke.”

“Don’t just misspeak. Even if it means offending us….”

“Enough! I’m sorry! I apologize!”

The tantrum ended without finding its mark.

“Alright, do well if you understand.”

Han Hyojin patted his shoulder and left for the tent. The remaining members awkwardly approached, smiling.

“A jab at the chairman…. Jinwoo still has a long way to go, huh?”

“Each line he delivers is like a gem…. If it weren’t for that one, the one apologizing wouldn’t be me but the chairman?”

“I envy that mindset…. I broke within two days…. Well, Jinwoo will soon….”

Park Ayoung muttered coldly with dead eyes. Goosebumps rose along his spine as he swiftly approached her and tapped her forehead.

Tap-

“Ouch….”

She lightly rubbed her forehead.

“Why did you hit me…?”

“I have a feeling we’ll be short one person when we descend tomorrow….”

“Huh? A riddle?”

“It’s a secret because if I tell you, that person might end up being me.”

“Hehe, what’s that supposed to mean….”

Park Ayoung laughed, her tone less sharp than before. Her hazy smile covered her previously dead eyes.

“This is better than earlier.”

“Can’t tell if it’s a compliment or an insult….”

“If I told you to rest in the tent.”

“Then it’s a compliment.”

Before Park Ayoung could walk away, she stopped abruptly.

“Take your phone with you.”

“Why my phone?”

“Because I’m worried.”

“Oh…?”

“Not ‘oh,’ just say ‘yes.’”

“Got it….”

With that response, Park Ayoung slipped away quietly, evoking a teenage girl fleeing from her parents.

Even in that moment, saying “got it” instead of “yes” was a point worth noting.

Chuckle- Laughing, Song Mina looked at the now-alone teacher.

She had attached the basket to her waist and seemed engrossed in the nearby flowers.

“Teacher.”

When called, she finally turned her head towards me.

“Yes?”

“I’d like to see the ingredients you’ve gathered.”

“Oh! Here you go!”

Song Mina stood tall, offering the basket, but from above, her body appeared much larger than the basket.

It was almost like blocking the sun with one’s hand….

Carefully, I spoke up.

“Um…. Teacher.”

“Yes?”

“I can’t see the basket….”

“Oh! I’m sorry…. Let me clear my chest quickly!”

She wrapped her arms around her chest, pushed her hips back, and strained to support the basket with one hand.

“Ca-can you see it!?”

Here, the terrifying story was that some facts were slightly obscured!

“I can see it.”

“Good! That’s a relief!”

“Yes, but rather than straining like this….”

I took hold of Song Mina’s basket instead.

“Wouldn’t it be better if I held it for you?”

“Oh! You’re smart!”

“You’re also very considerate, teacher.”

“Thank you.”

After overcoming a hurdle, I turned my gaze to the basket. Inside were various vegetables, including wild plants.

And the variety was impressive.

“Potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots… bell peppers, tomatoes… They even look pretty. How did you manage to gather these in the backyard?”

“Oh. Actually, I went to the vegetable garden behind the principal’s office!”

“What?!”

I was surprised by that location.

“Isn’t that the place where Principal Seonsaeng waters the plants every Monday, skipping his usual speech? I heard he cherishes it…”

“Hyojin student said it was fine. ‘Isn’t it beneficial for us, the children of a poor father, if we can grow plants?’ Something like that!”

“…”

“I agreed too! If we weigh the pros and cons, it’s better for the seedlings to eat than for Principal Seonsaeng! Besides, the principal has plenty of time even after coming to work, so he’ll quickly restore the vegetable garden!”

Principal…

“It’s scarier when there’s no malice…”

“That’s right! I have no malice!”

“Yes… That seems to be the case.”

So, I feel even more regretful towards Principal Seonsaeng.

With a puzzled expression, I pursed my lips. Teacher Song Mina asked,

“Why are you curious about what’s in the basket, Jinwoo student?”

“Just because.”

“Oh. Well, if that’s the case, nothing can be done…”

“It was a joke. Um… I was thinking about what dish to make.”

“A dish? Weren’t you planning on eating everything raw or grilled over fire? I thought you might go hungry today while digging…”

If there were no other ingredients, that might have been the case.

“I brought spices, stew mix, and curry powder in my bag.”

“Wow! You’re well-prepared! You’re a top-notch companion!”

“It’s a bit ambiguous.”

“It’s a sincere compliment!”

“Thank you.”

As we chatted, we approached the tent. Han Hyojin had already found a spot and was sitting proudly, while Lee Subin and Park Ayeong were lying inside.

Lee Subin raised her leg while lying down.

“Senior, I heard that you cook here~. Is it true? If so, could you share your thoughts on it?”

“I’d appreciate it if you cleaned up before folding those thin legs. That’s my thought.”

“Gasp! Do you know that my legs naturally fold like this!?”

Lee Subin giggled.

I grabbed her foot and gently pressed it upwards.

“Ahh! Time out! Time out!”

“Careful. Huh?! Let’s be careful.”

“Yes! Yes! I’ll be careful!”

Anyway, actions speak louder than words.

Tsk. I clicked my tongue and took out the powders from my bag.

Yellow curry powder, white stew mix.

“Do you all prefer curry? Or stew? Oh, Chairman, this is a pre-made product, is it okay to use?”

“As soon as I finished gathering ingredients, I became distant from nature. Whether you use it or not is your choice.”

After getting permission, everyone shared their preferences.

“I prefer stew! There’s no rice for curry!”

“I also choose stew. Curry without rice is like… steamed bread without red beans… a toothless tiger….”

“I’ll go with the students’ opinions.”

Thus, unanimously, it was decided to make stew.

“Let’s start preparing now and have an early dinner around 5 o’clock.”

“Yes! Shall I help? I’m feeling lazy to move…”

“It’s fine. Aren’t you Park Ayeong? You said you’d help but ended up being a hindrance?”

“Oh! Your words are too much! My culinary skills are quite renowned! Oh! Senior, please step aside! I’ll be the head chef!”

Amidst the lively conversation, lying Park Ayeong slyly glared at us.

“If it doesn’t taste good, be prepared…”

“Senior, let me change back to being the head chef…”

“No. Failure is the mother of success… You should fail instead…”

“Senior~!”

“Okay, okay.”

Calming down the whining Lee Subin, I started preparing the meal. Since we had plenty of time, it would be nice to leisurely cook the vegetables.

***

“Delicious!”

“Don’t talk with your mouth full.”

*Gulping* “Mmm… How delicious this is.”

Although everyone frowned at Lee Subin’s behavior, they nodded in agreement without arguing.

“It’s quite good.”

“I think Jinwoo’s cooking is the best…”

“Jinwoo student is really good at cooking.”

Compliments felt awkward.

Smiling awkwardly, he scratched the back of his head and then turned the conversation to Han Hyo-jin.

“What are we going to do after eating?”

“A good question. Tonight, the two of us will pair up and wander around the school building that has been transformed into a haunted house.”

“…?”

“Get excited. I put a lot of effort into it.”

“…?”

The courage test…

Was that even possible at school…?