episode_0034

The intense heat had begun. If the counseling room wasn’t air-conditioned, it would turn into a sauna.

“Phew….”

Kim Noeul was slouched in her chair, fanning herself with her shirt. With each fan, her faintly defined abs of eleven lines peeked through.

“Ugh….”

Nayuna was in a similar state. She wiped the sweat around her chest with a handkerchief as if her lower chest was itchy.

“Guys, sorry… The air conditioning is centrally controlled and won’t turn on….”

Teacher Chae Yubin muttered, futilely pressing the air conditioner power button several times. She too had long abandoned her suit jacket.

I couldn’t focus due to the heat and gulped down cold water. Normally, I would have studied or read, but it was too hot to concentrate.

Amidst our collective struggle, there was a determined female student, persistently moving her pen despite the hardship.

Han Doa wiped the sweat dripping down her cheek with her finger and focused on her studies. It was truly superhuman concentration.

“Doa, aren’t you hot…?”

Nayuna, now accustomed to talking to Han Doa, asked. Han Doa casually shook her head.

“It’s hot. Can’t you see I’m sweating right now?”

“But you don’t seem bothered by it.”

“I have to endure it because I need to study.”

Nayuna stared at Han Doa as if she were looking at a monster. Then she crossed her arms, lifting her chest to prevent sweating.

“But why study here?”

This time, Kim Noeul asked.

From her perspective, it was a valid question. After all, today wasn’t the day I was supposed to supervise Han Doa’s studies.

“The leadership building isn’t conducive to studying. There’s no quiet place like the counseling room. And if I’m going to do it, I might as well do it next to my Maru junior so I can ask questions right away if I don’t understand.”

“…But there are online lectures, right?”

My attempt to pry was abandoned, and Kim Noeul fanned herself again. Her sweaty shirt clung to her back, revealing her bra strap.

I refrained from pointing out her familiarity with the reverse world. Instead, I realized that in this world, a man who points such things out would be labeled a pervert.

“By the way, have you guys decided where you’re going for the career experience trip?”

“Huh? Do 3rd graders do that too?”

Upon Teacher Chae Yubin’s inquiry, Na Yuna expressed doubt. Instead, it was Han Doa who responded.

“This year, instead of the second semester, the career experience trip is scheduled for the first semester, so we decided to include the 3rd graders.”

“Ah… then soon we’ll have options on where to go.”

“Do Maru and Noeul have any places in mind?”

When the teacher asked, Kim Noeul looked troubled.

Unlike the 3rd graders, the 2nd graders’ application period for the career experience trip had already begun. There were several places, but I remember from the original that they went to SC.

-School Celebrity, Representative Im Juhee

“The business card Im Juhee gave me, should I use this?”

Coincidentally, I had the SC business card given to me by Im Juhee. It would be fine to go there this time and perhaps reveal the relationship between Na Yuna and Im Juhee.

In fact, in the webtoon, during the SC career experience trip, Im Juhee continued to show interest in Na Yuna.

“I want to go to SC at least once.”

As I spoke, Kim Noeul’s eyes widened.

“Isn’t that a modeling agency? Are you interested in that place?”

“Actually, I received a business card from them before.”

I placed the SC business card on the table. The women’s attention was drawn to it.

“Wow… it’s a really famous place even in our school.”

Na Yuna’s eyes sparkled with interest. She probably has no idea that she will catch the eye of Im Juhee, the representative.

“Then, will Maru become a model?”

At Teacher Chae Yubin’s words, Na Yuna clapped her hands.

“It would really suit you. It’s strange that you haven’t been street-cast yet!”

“…Everyone seems to have forgotten.”

As the atmosphere became harmonious, Kim Noeul dryly muttered.

“That’s where Je Gal-yeonhwa is affiliated. You shouldn’t just go there thoughtlessly to have fun.”

“I agree. If you’re going, you should thoroughly research her information.”

Han Doa also put down her pen and echoed Kim Noeul’s words. When the two women put forth their opinions, Na Yuna and Chae Yubin fell silent.

“And personally, I don’t recommend Maru becoming a model.”

Kim Noeul glanced at me briefly as she spoke.

“Drawing too much attention.”

“I never intended to go in the first place?”

“What? Then why are you going there?”

“Still, I received a business card, so I want to go and see at least once. I’m just curious.”

“Well, aren’t there many other places? Look, there’s a botanical garden and a museum…”

“Then you go there.”

When I retorted firmly, Kim Noeul bit her lip. Then, with a somewhat resentful expression, she nodded.

“Well then, I guess I should go to SC too. You and I are one body.”

“One body!? Wh-what does that…?”

Stumbling over her words at Kim Noeul’s bombshell statement, Nayuna looked at me for help. Being equally clueless, I asked her.

“One body? What do you mean by that?”

“You said it back then. You chose me. We have to trust each other. We have a special relationship.”

“No…”

Partners are one body.

Metaphorically, it wasn’t an incorrect statement. It wasn’t wrong, but something about the phrasing felt odd. Kim Noeul skillfully distorted the memory.

“You two seem very close! Even though you’re still students, you’re already surrounded by a rosy atmosphere!”

Teacher Chae Yubin blushed like a maiden and made a fuss. She seemed excited, as if she were eagerly watching a friend’s romantic endeavor.

“Maru…? When did you start behaving like that…?”

Nayuna stared at me with unfocused eyes, looking helpless. Her gaze felt ominous, so I avoided it.

“It was just meant as ‘let’s work hard as colleagues in the counseling department.’”

“…Is that so? That’s what it was?”

Life returned to Nayuna’s eyes. However, Kim Noeul drove the wedge.

“After that, we even held hands and went home together.”

Uncharacteristically, Kim Noeul blushed and spoke bashfully. Normally, she was confident like an alpha girl, but now she resembled a girl straight out of a celestial romance comic.

Seeing Kim Noeul’s response, Teacher Chae Yubin became even more flustered.

“Oh my! Well, after spending so much time together, it’s only natural for feelings to develop! Of course, things would turn out this way!”

As Chae Yubin’s excitement rose, a cold aura began to envelop Nayuna.

After struggling to regain her composure, her eyes dimmed again. Like a malfunctioning machine, she turned her head to look at me.

Kim Noeul’s face was still flushed like a red radish, yet her lips curled up wickedly.

From Nayuna’s lips came a sharp voice, “Maru, I heard you had no intention of dating…”

“….”

Where could she have heard that?

“I endured being the flower on the cliff… but if that flower has already been plucked by someone else…”

“….”

Amid Nayuna’s desperate muttering, someone’s sigh was heard.

“I can’t concentrate.”

Even in this situation, Han Doa, who was studying, complained.

“Then go study outside, Bussil.”

Kim Noeul snapped, but I sincerely admired her rescue play and encouraged her.

“You can study at Bussil, why not? Everyone, please be quiet so Senior Doa can concentrate. Senior, feel free to ask me anything.”

“Thank you. Well, here’s the thing…”

As Han Doa and I tried to have our study time, Nayuna hastily took out a book from her bag.

“I don’t know something either!”

“….”

Kim Noeul sighed as she watched our little drama.

Focused on our studies, it was soon time to leave for home. Kim Noeul and I locked the counseling room and stepped outside. Nayuna, Han Doa, and Teacher Chae Yubin left earlier due to their own circumstances.

It was midsummer, and although evening was approaching, the sky was still bright.

“Yuna, you seem interested in SC.”

“Well, I am. We often talk about it when we’re alone.”

When I tried to change the subject, Kim Noeul chimed in. It seemed she knew Nayuna’s interests quite well.

In reality, she was shy and introverted, but as seen from watching TV at home, she had some celebrity qualities, which were obscured by her being ostracized.

“The career experience locations for the third years overlap a lot with the second years. I’m thinking of going to SC with Yuna.”

“That sounds good. We can also observe Jegalyeonhwa while we’re there.”

Kim Noeul agreed with my suggestion. She had become more enthusiastic since the “Commuting Home Together” event.

It was a positive change, so I didn’t bother to touch it. I hope this positive energy will last throughout the year.

Time passed, and it was the day of career experience. The final exams were also approaching rapidly.

I was lost in thought as I picked out my casual clothes at home.

“It seems like the school schedule is really tight. Seeing them do career experience before the exams.”

It seemed inevitable that they were conducting career experience now, with many events such as the sports competition and math trip happening in the second semester.

While changing clothes, my phone vibrated.

[Kim Noeul: What should I wear?]

[Kim Noeul: (Picture)]

[Kim Noeul: (Picture)]

Kim Noeul asked me about today’s outfit. I don’t understand why she’s asking me. If it’s about women’s clothing, Yuna or my other female friends would know better.

[Me: Both are fine.]

[Kim Noeul: If you had to choose?]

I decided to consider this as part of Kim Noeul’s mental care and sincerely replied.

The first option was a tweed jacket and denim pants. The jacket’s length wasn’t too long, giving off a feeling that complemented Kim Noeul’s healthy body line well.

The latter was a collar A-line mini dress, giving off a neat and elegant image. However, it felt inconsistent with the image I had of Kim Noeul.

“She looks better in clothes that allow her to move around actively. Pants would suit her better than a skirt.”

That way, she can fight well.

In conclusion, I leaned towards the first option.

[Me: The first one is fine.]

[Kim Noeul: Really? I was thinking of going with that too.]

After finishing the conversation, I changed into the chosen outfit and left the dormitory. If I take the subway and walk a bit, I’ll arrive at the SC building.

After getting off the subway, I headed towards the exit of the station. As I emerged from the exit, I saw a familiar face – the woman who had given me her business card.

“Representative Im Juhee?”

She was talking to a woman whose face was mostly covered by bangs.

“I see potential in you. You have what it takes to become a star. How about it? Join me…”

Im Juhee was attempting street casting. This area was near SC, which was her activity area.

“Um… It’s, it’s a bit overwhelming…”

The woman being cast also had a familiar voice. Upon closer inspection, it was senior Yuna.

“So, they’re meeting like this.”

Admiring the continuation of the story, he approached the two women. The two women who noticed my presence turned their heads.

“Hmm? It’s you….”

“Maru…? You’re early.”

President Im Ju-hee opened her mouth, seemingly remembering my face.

“Oh, the student I met at the restaurant? What a coincidence to meet here. Are you keeping my business card well?”

“I chose this place for the field trip because of that business card.”

“Today is the day for the field trip. I received the notice too.”

Im Ju-hee nodded at my words as if it were an annual event and she wasn’t particularly excited about it.

“By the way, you two know each other. The fact that the two people I’m interested in are acquaintances… This is not a common occurrence.”

Nayuna hesitated, fiddling with her fingers. She was wearing a simple dress.

“Are you scouting Nayuna as a model too, Senior?”

“Yes. Something about her caught my eye.”

“I’m just ordinary though….”

“Nonsense. Don’t think you can deceive my eyes. You’re just suppressing your star quality.”

I held my breath at Im Ju-hee’s accurate assessment. Nayuna must have been equally surprised.

In the original work, Nayuna began to change after meeting the two women. I also intend to support that line of development.

“Think positively. There’s potential with the senior, you know.”

“Well… I’m just a loner….”

As Nayuna uttered self-deprecating words, Im Ju-hee’s eyebrows twitched, as if she didn’t like what she heard.

“I thought you were a gem, but were you an unprepared one…. Then it won’t work….”

Muttering seriously, Im Ju-hee left us. Nayuna blinked rapidly at Im Ju-hee’s abrupt change in attitude.

I quietly sighed, hoping she wouldn’t hear me.

“I might need to actively push her.”

“What are you two doing here?”

Kim No-eul’s voice came from behind. She was wearing the outfit I picked out for her.

“I was just talking to someone. We’re going to SC now.”

“Really? There’s not much time left. Shall we go quickly?”

I followed Kim No-eul from behind.

Nayuna watched the two men and women moving away. Passersby around them looked at the two and admired them.

Her expression grew even darker as she watched the scene.