# Chapter 102
Monday, the start of the week, was quiet as everyone seemed tired. The time passed without incident until after classes were finished, when things began to get unsettled.
The students who had been densely packed in the classroom soon gathered in small groups, huddling together and chattering away. Although it was already a boisterous time since the homeroom teacher hadn’t arrived yet to conduct the closing ceremony, today was especially noisy.
I sat at my desk with my chin propped on my hand, waiting quietly for the homeroom teacher to arrive. Without turning my head, I slowly blinked at Moon Seoheon’s empty seat that was directly in my view.
Moon Seoheon had been absent from his seat since the afternoon due to soccer club business. They were holding preliminary matches to determine which team would advance to the main sports festival competition.
The preliminary matches would run from today until Wednesday, with the opening ceremony of the sports festival and the finals taking place on Friday.
I thought he wouldn’t participate since he was already a member of the soccer club, but Moon Seoheon ended up representing our class. Thanks to him, the other students in our class were delighted, saying victory was already guaranteed.
“He should be back by now. Seoheon must have won, right?”
“Well… I suppose so.”
Ko Kyungsu leaned over and spoke to me, perhaps misunderstanding that I was worried about Moon Seoheon since I’d been staring at his empty seat for quite some time. It was just an unconscious, meaningless action, so I didn’t feel the need to correct him and simply nodded.
Ko Kyungsu grinned slightly and leaned back. I was about to look forward again when he continued speaking, making me pause my movement.
“Is there any individual event you want to participate in? I want to join everything, but my skills aren’t good enough.”
Ko Kyungsu scratched his cheek sheepishly as if embarrassed by his own words. I could sympathize, as I was in the same situation and found it difficult to give a specific answer. Like him, I didn’t have any particular event I wanted to join.
If I were actually a high school student, it might be different, but as someone who had avoided exercise for years, the upcoming sports festival wasn’t exactly something I looked forward to. To be honest, it wasn’t that I disliked the sports festival completely—it was just a bit awkward.
Although I was in young Yoon Taeho’s body, there didn’t seem to be any event where I could excel. And I also didn’t expect to get a good score either.
While group events were mandatory for each class, individual events were optional, though each student had to select at least one. Students were enthusiastic because the scores received at the sports festival were included in their Class ranking. Perhaps it was fortunate for me that those who had confidence should be the ones to participate.
“I’m the same. I think I’ll just focus on cheering enthusiastically.”
“Ah… then we’re exactly alike. It should be fine since there are also points for cheering.”
“Yeah, let’s just do well in the group events.”
I flashed a grin at him, showing solidarity in our shared predicament, and Ko Kyungsu let out a cheerful laugh. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he sighed softly and spoke in a meaningful tone.
“It seems The Four rented out the entire place at Ace over the weekend. I heard that no one was allowed to use the rooms upstairs.”
“…Really?”
“Taeho, I thought you might have joined them, but you didn’t?”
Ko Kyungsu asked with wide eyes. I could understand rumors about The Four hanging out at Ace, but I couldn’t comprehend why he would think I would be among them.
Rather surprised, I blinked my eyes, which made Ko Kyungsu fidget and lower his voice.
“I thought you might have been with them since I’ve seen you hanging out together recently. Guess not.”
“No, well… I was actually at Ace with them…”
“Oh, so you were. You must have been with Seoheon too, then.”
There was no particular reason to hide it, but Ko Kyungsu’s matter-of-fact attitude left me feeling a bit strange, so I awkwardly raised the corner of my mouth. It was my way of showing agreement, and he took it as such, his eyes sparkling.
“What’s it like there? Is it really like a hotel?”
Ko Kyungsu’s shoulders slumped after his sincere comment about how nice it must have been. It seemed he’d never stayed there and was curious about what it was like. I smacked my lips and gave a vague answer.
“Yeah, it’s nice. It has a hotel-vacation vibe.”
Seeing Ko Kyungsu look at me enviously, I added that there was no need for that.
“It’s nothing special. You’d be better off going to a good four-star hotel with better value for money. You can go to your heart’s content later.”
If he wanted to enjoy a true hotel vacation, he could just earn money and go to a better place. I was cautious about this young kid getting too hung up on something like this. I’m not sure if my intention came across, but Ko Kyungsu responded quietly.
“That’s true, but… I heard the view from the rooftop pool is really nice.”
I gave him a small smile as he seemed quite eager to visit.
The view was definitely good. It was a unique experience to splash around in the pool with the dark night sky outside and the brightly lit buildings as a backdrop, nice both during the day and at night.
Although I only dipped my feet in the water without actually swimming, the other guys seemed tireless as they cut through the water, immersed in swimming until late at night. At that moment, they all appeared to be kids of that age, and I didn’t experience the awkwardness I occasionally felt.
I couldn’t help but smile when I recalled how they would occasionally approach me to strike up a conversation, perhaps worried that I might be bored.
Still, what bothered me a bit was Byeon Seungha, who kept approaching me as if he had something to say but never did, and the unfulfilled promise with Jung Hyoin. Even if I ignored Byeon Seungha, that place was where I had gone because of my promise to Jung Hyoin, who said he would draw a new picture. Yet he never asked me to pose until I left for home. I wasn’t sure if he was postponing it to another time, but since he hadn’t mentioned anything since, I couldn’t bring it up either.
In other words, after the sun set and darkness fell at Ace, nothing much happened. I was left with an unsatisfied feeling, worried that I might be ruining the mood for Moon Seoheon and The Four, who had been acting strangely for several days.
Ko Kyungsu seemed to have nothing more to say as he pressed his lips together. Finally turning my body to look at the front where the teacher’s podium was, the door opened and Moon Seoheon entered along with the other students who had been selected for the soccer team.
In response to the questions from classmates asking about the match results, one student wiped his dripping sweat and proudly announced that our class had won.
* * *
My footsteps were exceptionally light as I walked with my backpack. It could be due to the refreshing weather with a clear sky without a single cloud, or perhaps simply because I was in a good mood.
I couldn’t say there weren’t aspects troubling my mind or things to worry about, but this peaceful day was precious.
Contrary to my relaxed state of mind, as soon as I got home, my phone began to ring. I reached into my pocket to check it. There were messages from two different group chats, with a slight time gap between them.
Entering the first group chat, I immediately noticed a photo attached by Kim Yuna. On a red background, round rice paper was topped with an abundance of red cooking ingredients. Rather than a food photo, it looked more like an art photograph that should be classified as fine art.
[Lol what is that? Is it pizza?]
[Yes. I thought it might help with this contest, so I uploaded it. Good to look at and good to eat! Isn’t it perfect for the theme?]
[How is that good to eat? If you look closely, those are jewels! Not tomatoes, but stones.]
[I think Yuna wants us to decide on food based on this. Pizza might be good. It’s easy to make and many people enjoy it.]
[Right? Please share if you have other ideas.]
The conversation continued, but it seemed opinions were becoming more divided.
“They’re working hard.”
As I unpacked the snacks I’d bought from the convenience store, I sent one reply. It was an emoticon of a rabbit character sweating profusely. I meant it to show I was thinking deeply about it.
Contrary to that intention, I wasn’t actually putting in much effort… Of course, I didn’t intend to do a sloppy job, but I doubted how much help I could be, so I was just planning to do as I was told.
Before checking the second group chat, I grabbed a bowl. I peeled the air cap from a packaged pudding and pressed the container firmly onto the bowl. After transferring all three puddings onto the bowl, I rummaged through the refrigerator and took out a large container.
Inside was homemade kimchi that my mother had brought over last time. I took out a half-cut kimchi, tore it into small pieces, and placed enough next to the pudding to eat. I put the remaining kimchi container back in the refrigerator.
Once prepared, I sat down and picked up a spoon. Mixing the finely torn kimchi with the pudding, the soft custard cream and crisp kimchi blended well and went down smoothly.
Chewing the remaining food in my mouth, I entered the unread group chat. It was a room with the three guys, minus Moon Seoheon and Kwak Junhee. It was a new group chat I had been suddenly invited to the night before, just before falling asleep. From now on, discussions about the performance we had agreed to do together would take place here.
Suddenly, I recalled the group chat Jo Youngmin had invited me to. It had been quiet for a while, and since there was no need for it anymore, I should leave right away.
First, I scrolled down to check the content that had been sent. There was no need to scroll, as there was only one short message standing alone.
[I’ve chosen the song, so ask if you have any questions.]
It was a message from Jung Hyoin. I pressed the screen with my finger to download the music file attached below. The music was one of the popular songs, and I knew it well.
It was quite decisive, determining it right away without feeling the need to hear others’ opinions. From my standpoint, I had no reason to object, so I actually welcomed it.
But I wondered if I should mention what instrument I would be playing, even though I hadn’t said what I would do. They probably assumed I could play the guitar and didn’t even ask.
Recalling the classical guitar in my room, I was reminded of the awkward situation I’d been trying to ignore. After much deliberation, I finally sent a message.
[I only have a classical guitar right now, but the truth is I don’t really know how to use it properly. I’d be somewhat okay with an acoustic guitar, do you know anywhere I can rent one?]
After sending the message and about to eat the remaining pudding, a reply came immediately.
[I’ll lend you one.]
It was Jung Hyoin again. The others seemed busy, as they hadn’t seen the message yet. I had asked just in case, but this was fortunate. His ready offer to lend me one immediately put me at ease.
Just like with the contest I’m doing with the club members, I’ll need to put in effort to blend in well here too.
But seeing the group chat with Moon Seoheon and the main characters made me feel strange. Even though Kwak Junhee wasn’t there, the very fact that I was tied to these guys in a shared space felt peculiar all over again.
I chuckled at the odd thought and put down my phone, then finished off the remaining pudding.
