episode_0062

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In modern society, clothing isn’t worn solely for health and hygiene reasons.

Who in the world wears underwear just to absorb sweat or outerwear just to keep dust off their skin?

Those are just secondary benefits that come with wearing clothes.

Clothes exist to express one’s individuality—

And to make one’s social status easily recognizable to others.

After a long moment of contemplation, I awkwardly muttered into my phone.

“…Uh, Principal.”

“Yes?”

“…Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to wear a suit instead of a uniform…?”

62

“Even if the title is ‘Health Committee Member,’ the actual job is just that of a school nurse.”

Having said that, I let out a quiet sigh, careful not to let the principal hear.

Among the clothes one wears to formal events, nothing is as convenient as a suit.

Whether it’s a joyous occasion like an entrance ceremony,

Or a somber one like a funeral,

Wearing a suit alone guarantees you’ve already won half the battle.

And lastly…

I’m not a student anymore, damn it.

What kind of frozen hell is this, forcing me into a school uniform?

“I think the uniform would be fine, actually. You’re the same age as the incoming freshmen anyway. It’s not like suits and uniforms look that different.”

But what came back was Principal Seok Jaehwa’s voice, stubbornly insisting on the uniform.

I hate that I used to find that voice, brimming with enthusiasm, somewhat charming.

It’s just plain pigheadedness.

“Wouldn’t it be weird if someone in a uniform was just sitting in the infirmary?”

“It’s unique, so that’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

“Wearing a uniform won’t make me feel like a school nurse.”

“You can just wear a lab coat over it. That sounds pretty good to me.”

“…During faculty conversations, I feel like my uniform might cause confusion…”

“Everyone already knows your face, Woojin. I doubt they’d get confused.”

“……”

“Besides, if you wear a lab coat over it, even strangers would recognize you.”

I’m thirty years old. What kind of humiliation is this, wearing a school uniform?

I spent five minutes desperately coming up with excuses, but none of them made a dent.

This is why talking to old people is exhausting…

“……”

…Fine, I’ll just give in.

Even if it’s embarrassing, I’ll get used to it eventually.

Having been lying in bed this whole time while taking the call, I rubbed my tired eyes and finally relented.

“…Then I’ll wear the uniform.”

“Great! Also, about the entrance ceremony—you won’t be with the students. You’ll be behind the stage…”

“Huh? Okay…”

This is awkward.

“……”

The school uniform I’m wearing for the first time in ten years feels unbearably awkward.

The pitch-black necktie,

The navy-blue vest,

The blazer draped over the back of my chair because I’m wearing a lab coat—

All of it feels unbearably awkward.

It’s absolutely not because memories of high school are flooding back.

It’s just unfamiliar after so long, that’s all. Absolutely not…

“……”

And it seems I’m not the only one who finds this look awkward.

“Unnie. Aren’t you going to see your friends?”

“I only came because I was passing by. But…”

Thirty minutes before the entrance ceremony began.

Lee Hayoon, a second-year senior who had casually dropped by the infirmary as if it were the most natural thing, stared at me in my uniform while dressed in her usual fleece outfit.

Her lips, slightly pursed beneath the zipper pulled up to her chin, moved faintly.

From the muffled sound, she was probably sucking on some candy.

“Why are you in a uniform?”

“…Good question…”

“……?”

I don’t even know the reason—why would you?

With my hands stuffed in the pockets of my lab coat, I spun lazily in my chair.

At least it wasn’t as embarrassing as I’d feared.

Probably because the uniform wasn’t all that different from the one I wore in high school.

Then again, the academy uniform Hayoon wore wasn’t much different from what the local high school girls wore either.

So if I just pretend I’ve gone back to my high school days…

“Ha…”

I’m twenty years old…

I’m twenty years old…

An age where a school uniform shouldn’t feel awkward…

An age where I wouldn’t yet know how annoying it is to coordinate outfits every single day, not just on weekends…

An age where I wouldn’t yet realize that a shirt and suit are the most comfortable…

Lost in these thoughts, I absentmindedly spun in my chair until Hayoon stepped forward and stopped me.

“Anyway, it suits you. The uniform.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. I’ve only ever seen you in casual clothes, but it goes surprisingly well with the lab coat…”

“……”

“…Wait, I gave you a compliment. Why’s your reaction like this?”

“…I’m just wondering if it’s right for me to be wearing a uniform.”

“If it looks good, that’s all that matters. Why overthink it?”

“You think so?”

“Yeah.”

A simple observation.

A simple response.

But hearing that, I couldn’t help but let out a faint laugh.

Just as I’d picked up speech habits from Jiyoon, whom I gamed with every night, it seemed I’d absorbed something from Hayoon too.

Her personality, maybe. Something like that.

Well, whining about not wanting to wear the uniform won’t change anything.

As I chuckled to myself, Hayoon, who had been sucking on her candy, also broke into a grin.

“Clothes aside… You finally seem like a little brother now.”

“Did I seem like an oppa before?”

“N-No! It’s just… You felt like a peer. Yeah.”

“…Should I call you ‘Hayoon-ah’ again like last time? Pretending to be a third-year senior?”

“Don’t! That!”

“Hayoon—”

“I said don’t!! Ugh…!”

“O-Okay, I won’t, so let go. Your spit’s getting on my fingers.”

“…We’ve even kissed, and you’re making a big deal out of this…?”

For a while, Hayoon and I exchanged playful banter, both of us giggling.

But soon, as the entrance ceremony was about to begin, I left the infirmary. Hayoon, playing the role of the dependable unnie, led the way to the auditorium.

Beyond her swaying ponytail, the hallway—empty during the break—was now packed with unfamiliar faces.

From male hero hopefuls who didn’t spare me a glance,

To female hero hopefuls whose names felt oddly familiar.

Hmm… Is it because they’re still young?

Or is it the makeup?

Or maybe, after aiming for heroes like Lee Jiyoon and Han Sooah, my standards have risen so high that these faces just don’t register?

If they were in full hero costumes, I might recognize them…

Turns out, identifying people on sight isn’t as easy as I thought.

Ah. That girl looks familiar too.

The one holding hands with her friend in front of the restroom—same deal.

The girl at the corner of the hallway—I think she was one of the A-rank heroes.

…She had a boyfriend, huh? Damn it.

Walking down the hall like a country bumpkin gawking at the city sights—

“……”

Whether it was the lab coat over my uniform,

The uniform beneath the lab coat,

Or the fact that I’d been staring around like a creep—

The number of sidelong glances directed at me had been steadily increasing.

“Hmm…”

…Given that most were from girls, it was probably the third reason.

I was staring a bit too openly.

Too many familiar hero faces in one place…

For students—especially those aiming for big names like Han Sooah—bad rumors are best avoided.

After a quick glance around, I cleared my throat unnecessarily and focused solely on Hayoon’s ponytail.

Hello.

Yes, yes. Nice to meet you.

Pleased to meet you. I’m Seo Woojin.

The uniform? Ah, the principal asked me to wear it.

No, I’m not a student. I’m staff. For now. A school nurse is technically faculty, so…?

You can address me casually. “Woojin” would probably be easiest.

My age? I graduated last year, so I’m twenty.

Why am I not a student?

What could someone like me, who can only heal, possibly learn here? Haha…

A few teachers I’d seen during the break,

A few I was meeting for the first time today.

After entering the broadcasting room-like space behind the stage, I exchanged brief greetings with them.

Earlier, a lineup of moderately famous heroes had been seated onstage. Now, it seemed there were more here.

Probably the less experienced ones.

Hopefully, this one introduction means they won’t be popping in and out of the infirmary constantly.

…Maybe I should’ve been ruder. Ugh.

“Woojin.”

“Ah, yes.”

Just then, someone’s voice reached me.

Turning, I saw a somewhat frail-looking man holding out a few sheets of paper.

One of the teachers—I didn’t memorize his name or ability since he was male.

“Did you get the memo? You’ll need a short introduction for the students.”

“Yeah. The principal told me. Just yesterday, though.”

“He tends to do things last minute… Just kidding. Anyway, it’s roughly like this.”

Following his words, I skimmed the paper.

What greeted me was a brief self-introduction paired with congratulatory remarks for the new students.

I could guess the intent behind this, but—

The phrasing was stiff and old-fashioned, as if written by someone the principal’s age.

But what can I do? Orders are orders.

“So I just read this when I go up later?”

“Yes. The order should be… After the student council president’s speech? Wait, no. After the principal’s welcome address.”

“Ah.”

“Just go up when we signal you.”

I hadn’t realized the academy had a student council.

…Now that I think about it, I vaguely remember the principal mentioning a council president during his last visit to the infirmary.

The name was Baek… Whatever. Not a famous hero.

I should’ve paid more attention instead of tuning out.

Just as that thought faded—

“…S-Sorry. Nerves got to me—hic—”

Hic.

The sound of a hiccup echoed through the auditorium speakers.

With that awkward start, the entrance ceremony began.

That crazy bitch.

Why is she here?

“…I solemnly pledge my unwavering loyalty.”

The student council president, Baek Seoyeon, forced herself to continue the national pledge despite her turmoil.

Her gaze locked onto one girl in the front row of freshmen.

Yozora.

Why the hell is that big-titted lunatic standing in the academy auditorium like this?

Did the ‘company’ plant a spy too?

No way. They wouldn’t have the resources.

Besides, this is the Korean national pledge. You’re Japanese, you psycho. Why are you reciting it so earnestly?

…And hey.

Who’s the brown-haired girl next to you, already acting all chummy?

Is she a villain too?

“……”

…I’m dizzy.

Seriously.

So dizzy I might throw up…