# Chapter 29
I immediately looked at Kwak Junhee. His gently smiling face caught my eye, and I clicked my tongue inwardly before smiling back in gratitude.
Junhee shrugged as if it was nothing. Just then, a staff member approached and offered us water. They neatly placed a thermal table pot and four cups in front of each of us, then checked our tickets.
Junhee showed his ticket first, and the staff tore off the perforated section. They then checked Moon Seoheon’s, mine, and Yoon Taean’s in order before bowing and leaving.
I picked up the heavy pot, which seemed to be filled to the brim, and poured water for all three of them before filling my own cup appropriately.
Just as I was taking a sip to quench my thirst, I paused when I spotted a familiar face lingering at the outer entrance. Ko Kyungsu was looking around as if searching for an empty seat. I guess he came to use his ticket too.
Kyungsu spent quite a long time surveying the area before quietly slipping into a recently vacated seat. He seemed just as awkward as I had been moments ago, fidgeting uncomfortably. Either he hadn’t noticed me or was pretending not to.
I considered greeting him, but he was too far away, and it didn’t seem appropriate for the current situation, so I remained silent.
Now that the water had arrived, I glanced toward the counter to see what would come next, but I could only see staff members polishing tableware. It seemed they were preparing separately inside. While I was just rubbing my hands together, wondering if we should just wait like this, Junhee spoke to Seoheon.
“It seems Taeho’s uncomfortable doing the presentation with you guys. He said he’d do it with other people, so I told him that was fine.”
Seoheon looked up at me. Though his expression remained blank, I felt guilty and my lips curled up awkwardly.
“Well… I decided to do it with Jo Youngmin’s group. So… sorry.”
As I reluctantly apologized, Seoheon’s eyebrow twitched slightly at the mention of Youngmin’s name. Perhaps because he knew I’d been hanging out with them. After a moment of silence, he exhaled softly and nodded as if to say he understood. It was fortunate he didn’t say anything more, even though he probably felt bad that I’d rejected working with them.
As I was inwardly sighing with relief, Junhee stroked his chin as if troubled.
“Then we’re back to four people again. What should we do? …Ah, Taean, do you have people to work with?”
Yoon Taean, who had been quiet all along, let out a small “Ah,” before frowning as if perplexed. He glanced briefly at Seoheon, then spoke to Junhee with an uncertain tone.
“Um… if I don’t have to answer right now, could I think about it and tell you later?”
“Yeah, sure.”
Junhee nodded lightly as if it didn’t matter and then looked at Seoheon.
“Seoheon, is that okay with you?”
“Yes.”
As Seoheon took a sip of water while answering, Taean glanced at him and sighed discreetly. It seemed he had people to work with but was considering joining Seoheon’s group instead. Well, I was already feeling bad about declining, but if he joined in my place, that would be fine. I felt relieved.
While our conversation continued, the staff began circulating through the tables, serving drinks and appetizers to signal the official start.
It didn’t seem like we needed to order separately, as everyone remained silent when the staff approached, so I kept my mouth shut too and just observed the food being served.
The drink looked like soda, and when I took a small sip, it tasted like peach. Feeling the sweet liquid travel down my throat, I reached for the appetizer. Seeing how small the portion was—just enough for three spoonfuls—I carefully scooped up a tiny bit with the tip of my spoon.
The pudding-like appetizer yielded easily, breaking off softly as expected. Curious about what dish it was, I put it in my mouth and felt the texture of scallop. Blended with rich cream, it wasn’t tough at all but melted smoothly in my mouth, drawing an involuntary sound of admiration.
“This is delicious.”
When I unconsciously muttered this, Junhee laughed and said as he put down his glass, “If you want more, you can ask the staff to bring it.”
“…Since there are more dishes coming, it might be better to ask later if you feel it’s not enough.”
Taean glanced at me with a subtle expression as he spoke. Though he said I’d changed, he seemed a bit concerned, probably because the original Yoon Taeho didn’t eat much. Since I wasn’t planning to eat more anyway, I nodded.
“Right, this is just the beginning. And are we going to eat chicken too?”
Junhee asked me while covering his mouth as if suppressing laughter. It probably wasn’t just ordinary chicken since it was classified as a special meal, but wanting to get the exemption ticket, I nodded affirmatively while asking.
“Yes. …When will that be served?”
The Ace, now transformed into a restaurant, seemed to have predetermined dishes for each day, with the food being served by course. If the chicken wasn’t the main dish, then since we’d already had the appetizer, I might get too full to eat the separate main and dessert courses. So as Taean suggested, it would be best to eat moderately.
That’s why I’d casually asked whether it would come as the main course or as a final event—I wasn’t sure.
“It’ll come at the end, after we finish everything else. Those who want to taste it can eat separately, and those who want to participate can join in.”
It seemed like anyone could participate. It was probably some kind of game that would be held as a final event. Surely it couldn’t be a food fighter competition where you had to eat quickly or eat a lot? If it was something like that, should I not be eating this now? I stared blankly at the appetizer that was barely a mouthful.
“Hyung, are you really going to participate?”
“Yes.”
Unlike Taean, who looked at me with a surprised expression, Junhee burst into laughter.
“Ah, I knew you would. I think Taeho will do well.”
I wasn’t sure why he was so confident, but Taean still couldn’t believe it and said with a bewildered tone.
“It’s a special meal… Even when given the opportunity, people who’ve tried it once rarely do it again. Are you really going to participate?”
“Yes.”
I heard that you get a chance to receive a special meal at the cafeteria on a day of your choice… It seems the higher your Class, the more opportunities you get, but it doesn’t sound like it’s that great.
At this point, I was really curious. I wish it would start soon. Thinking this, I wondered if I should eat what was in front of me.
“Even if they call it chicken, it’ll be something difficult to eat. Unlike at school, the difficulty level is higher here. Can you eat it all in 5 minutes?”
So it’s about eating quickly. Taean looked at me worriedly, and I casually asked, “If I’m full, I won’t be able to eat it, right? Should I avoid eating the upcoming dishes?”
After silently contemplating my question for a moment, Taean shook his head.
“The portions shouldn’t be that big, so it’ll be fine. You can leave this if you start feeling full while eating.”
“Ah, I see.”
I nodded and now with a more relaxed mind, I scooped up the remaining scallop dish and put it in my mouth. It seems like a challenge where you eat difficult food within a time limit. This reminds me of the old days.
Seeing me casually chewing my food, Taean looked disgruntled and asked once more if I was really going to participate. And at my confident nod, he sighed quietly in disbelief.
I looked at Junhee, who was still smiling, and Seoheon, who was silently sipping his drink. When our eyes met, Junhee said it would be fun. Seoheon just stared at me for a moment before taking another bite of his appetizer.
* * *
The somewhat cozy atmosphere gradually became more chaotic. Looking around, I saw people gathering at the counter. Peeking over, I noticed a lottery machine had been placed in what was previously an empty space. I guess they use that to draw winning tickets.
I finished eating my small mont blanc dessert while watching people’s behavior. They were so densely packed that I couldn’t see well, but soon I heard disappointed sighs from the crowd, suggesting they all lost.
As I was observing the people, it seemed that not only Imperial High students were present. There were some outsiders visible, who either watched the lottery situation or went upstairs. Seeing people occasionally paying in advance and sitting at tables, it seemed that outsiders weren’t completely prohibited.
Even such an exclusive place has become known to some extent. I placed my fork on the empty plate and sat comfortably, relaxing the back I had kept straight. I decided to check it out once the crowd at the counter thinned a bit.
“Shall we go too?”
But then Junhee stood up and gathered his ticket. Following him, Seoheon and Taean also got up and led the way. Getting up somewhat abruptly, I followed them, and people who noticed Junhee stepped aside in surprise. Thanks to the people parting like the Red Sea, I reached the counter comfortably and had to suppress a laugh.
I had thought the half ticket that the staff had torn off earlier was just for verification, but it turned out to be a lottery ticket. Junhee stood in front of the machine that reached about waist-height and inserted his ticket into the slot. It looked like a simple paper ticket, but to be used like this, it must have been specially manufactured. It was certainly a good method, otherwise anyone could have drawn. Though it was an extravagant expense.
While I was examining the ticket curiously, turning it back and forth, the lever automatically turned and the contents inside moved around vigorously. Soon the movement stopped, and a capsule came out of the entrance. Junhee reached out and took it.
“Did you win?”
At Taean’s question, Junhee opened the capsule, checked it, and smiled with just the corners of his mouth raised as if disappointed.
“Unfortunately, I lost.”
After confirming that it really said ‘LOSE’ on it, I felt a strange sensation as I observed Junhee. He didn’t actually look disappointed, but well, knowing him, he probably has more vouchers. Watching him step back, it seemed he was just doing it for fun. I mean, what would he have to be disappointed about? I looked at Seoheon.
Seoheon approached the machine expressionlessly and inserted his ticket. He should win. However, contrary to my expectations, his result was unexpectedly a loss when I thought he’d draw it immediately with his protagonist buff. Looking at him with a bewildered face, he shrugged at my glance and moved aside, indicating I should try.
“Ah, right.”
I’ll probably lose anyway. Indifferently, I inserted my ticket into the slot and opened the capsule that came out without much thought.
[WINNER]
“……”
“Ooh, you won. Congratulations, Taeho.”
Junhee chuckled softly while congratulating me and added a comment.
“You know you have to use that by next month, right? It would be best to use it on the weekend after exams end.”
I forced a smile as he advised me that there was also a swimming pool on the 4th floor and to make sure to bring swimwear. Damn… Am I supposed to be happy about this?
