episode_0044

Episode 43: Heart-pounding Literary Club (1)

“Stay away from Kim Hyung-min.”

“…Excuse me?”

Unexpected news.

To suddenly quit a job one had been doing for over ten years?

It was just like any other evening when a directive came down from Mother.

She was aware of her role.

And because of that, she also tacitly understood Mother’s role.

“I understand.”

Kang Hyeon-a was no clueless child.

Though legally an adult, she was somewhat immature.

But she was someone who knew how to discern.

Hence, she didn’t ask out of mere curiosity.

Knowing well that it wouldn’t end well if she did.

She restrained her curiosity and accepted the command.

Of course.

While having a meal, she added some words.

Despite being a firm legal practitioner, she was also a motherly figure.

Even if not revealing all the reasons for her actions that might make her child feel unjustly treated, she explained enough for understanding.

“I see.”

In summary, it went something like this.

Since next year was the presidential election, there was an atmosphere of caution until then.

No wonder Mother seemed uncomfortable.

Kang Hyeon-a quietly nodded her head.

Feeling somewhat awkwardly liberated.

***

A few days later.

April arrived, and Kim Hyung-min and Kang Hyeon-a seemed to have distanced themselves as if by mutual agreement.

They ended up talking more with strangers instead.

Both led their lives without exchanging a single word.

Ironically, it was Kang Hyeon-a who became isolated.

Kim Hyung-min’s followers remained loyal.

Given the command not to interact with each other, this situation was only natural.

In no time, Kang Hyeon-a found herself without a single friend.

She didn’t seem to mind.

Did she ever consider them friends in the first place?

No, she did not.

Their natures were fundamentally different.

Unlike Kang Hyeon-a, who merely assisted in Kim Hyung-min’s play, his followers enjoyed and actively participated in all his actions.

Those who viewed things as work versus those who saw them as play.

Naturally, they would differ.

Anyway.

Friday night arrived, ablaze with excitement.

The literary club of April brought a fresh breeze.

Namely, club activities.

Every Friday during the 5th, 6th, and 7th periods were dedicated to this.

Kang Hyeon-a slowly slipped out of class towards the Literary Arts Room.

A secluded corner with few people around.

Given its vast expanse, unless one specifically sought it out, there was little reason to visit such a space.

Genre Literature and Arts Club.

A newly established club, created at Kim Hyung-min’s convenience.

Located in a spot where no one’s gaze fell, it was certain that ordinary students would not venture there.

*Creak.*

Kang Hyeon-a pushed open the classroom door.

A setting somewhat akin to a library.

Slightly larger than a regular classroom.

There were several room-like spaces, plush sofas, furniture, even wooden desks.

Truly a luxurious space with an added touch of sophistication.

If there were a reading cafe with such an ambiance, it would surely be a hit.

Nevertheless, Kang Hyeon-a quietly sat down on the sofa with measured steps.

And then, she lay down.

Although she could have taken a nap, she chose not to.

Idle time.

The Literary Club was a club created for legitimate slacking off.

From Kim Hyung-min and Kang Hyeon-a to a few others in the group.

This place, created in name only, became a space used solely by Kang Hyeon-a.

Due to the circumstances of the adults.

Left adrift, Kang Hyeon-a was left to guard this place in solitude.

The members were probably out drinking by now.

On paper, they were engaged in club activities, so there shouldn’t be any major issues.

From attendance to activity logs.

“Sigh.”

A brief exhale settled in.

Loneliness found its way unexpectedly.

The novel was good, so I created a club.

But when it came time to share that joy with the members, there were none.

It became a ghost club for those who needed a facade.

Lying down with eyes closed at that moment.

*Knock, knock.*

“…?”

Slowly rising, Kang Hyun.

After a brief silence,

I saw someone opening the door and coming in.

“Huh.”

“What is it.”

Kang Hyun blinked his eyes.

How did you find this place?

Why would Han Se-in come here…

His mouth couldn’t form words.

It was like asking, “Why did you pop up here?”

“Is this the Literature Club…?”

“Yes, why…”

With a gentle closing of her lips, Han Se-in looked around.

“You’re alone, then you’re the president?”

“Yeah. But why did you come…”

Kang Hyun properly stood up from his seat.

He didn’t want to show a sloppy sitting posture.

After entering the clubroom,

A wave of loneliness washed over him.

Whether she knew that feeling or not,

Han Se-in boldly approached her and stood in front of her.

“I came to join. You’re in the Literature Club, right.”

“….”

“Where’s the application form?”

Why are you so bold.

The timid Han Se-in disappeared into the distance.

Kang Hyun appeared composed in front of her.

As if.

Just like the first day she met Kim Hyung-min.

The atmosphere itself was different.

“Aren’t you scared?”

“What?”

“Of me. Aren’t you scared.”

“I told you.”

Angrily, Kang Hyun turned around, recalling past memories.

Afraid of revealing her flushed face,

She began searching through the desk drawers for the membership form.

“Here. Here you go.”

“Okay.”

Square by square.

Name and class number.

After signing briefly, Han Se-in looked at her.

“Why.”

“What now?”

“What?”

It was actually Kang Hyun who was taken aback by the bold voice.

Unlike the past, where she saw things in terms of tormentor and victim,

Now it was just person to person.

There were only Han Se-in and Kang Hyun.

So maybe it felt even more awkward.

Without being aware of it herself.

Or perhaps because she felt awkward about herself.

Not as perpetrator and victim.

But as friends within the club.

In the midst of discomfort, Kang Hyun inserted a response.

“Just relax. You can sleep or do whatever you want.”

“Is that okay?”

“Yeah.”

Kang Hyun started to explain the reason straight away.

Yeah. This is better than uncomfortable silence and awkwardness.

“It’s always been like that. A place for reasons? You can go out and have fun.”

“And you?”

“…What?”

Kang Hyun froze.

An unexpected question.

In the midst of an awkward conversation, discomfort lingered, but

She began to speak her mind for the first time.

Perhaps.

It was the beginning of becoming closer on a human level.

“It’s me… Well, I like books.”

“I see. Was that why you were always looking at your phone?”

“That’s right.”

“Surprising.”

“What?!”

Kang Hyun’s pride rose like a storm.

To hear such words from another man with feelings triggered her pride.

Regardless of the truth, that’s how it felt.

“Hahaha. That’s right.”

“….”

Her angered pride dissipated.

Laughter.

Just a man’s laughter.

Bright and warm.

Not a wrinkled expression or a painful groan.

Just a bright smile.

Something deep inside her heart stirred.

I want to see more.

I want to protect.

That man, Han Sein.

I wanted to make him smile more and protect him.

Regardless of qualifications.

At least, the emotions I feel now were being conveyed.

“Sharp and scary when it needs to be. But it’s just a novel that I like.”

“……”

“Surprisingly, I like it.”

It’s good.

Surely meaningless words, but the ripple caused by a single word was tremendous.

Kang Hyun-ah’s lips pressed tightly together.

It was this simple, this easy.

What I had been hoping for.

It was this simple.

Laughing, shouting, smiling carelessly.

Such everyday things were simple.

“Ugh. I’ll go look for a book.”

Han Sein moved her body.

She should find a book at least.

That’s what the club was for.

On the other hand, Kang Hyun-ah, feeling drained, hesitated on a nearby sofa.

Yet his gaze was fixed on Han Sein.

It revealed her interest.

Han Sein moved slowly towards the inner library.

Was it because even her steps seemed cute?

“Hmm…”

“Why?”

It hasn’t been long since they entered.

Han Sein was fidgeting, looking for something.

“Is there a ladder?”

“…I don’t think so.”

Kang Hyun-ah slowly got up.

She seemed to know without asking the reason.

Approaching Han Sein slowly, she asked, “What are you looking for?”

“Here.”

Inside the library.

In a somewhat dark space.

Han Sein was pointing upwards.

Her finger was aimed at the top shelf, but Kang Hyun-ah’s gaze was elsewhere.

From start to finish, she had been watching Han Sein.

Her eyes captured his moving body.

Stretching like a cat, his body relaxed.

With the arrival of spring, his attire had become relatively lighter.

The untidy uniform top rode up naturally.

His rib line was visible.

Fair skin, with the side of his waist exposed.

“Hyuna.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

A guilt-ridden response.

Seeing her innocent gaze, the momentarily tense heart was relieved.

A strange sense of guilt weighed down on her mind.

“That thing. Take it out for me.”

“Got it.”

Unaware?

Han Sein was gesturing for the book.

“Here you go.”

“Wow. You’re really tall.”

Jump, jump.

As if comparing heights with her, Han Sein jumped in place.

Even with a big jump, their gazes barely met.

It was so provocative.

Without realizing it, Kang Hyun-ah began to manage her expression deep inside, fearing her guilt might show.

Afraid her motherly smile might pop out.

Afraid her fluttering emotions might be exposed.