# Chapter 63
It had already been 20 minutes since we left the art room. The rain was still pouring down as if the sky had a hole in it, and my body felt chilly, probably from being exposed to the cold wind for too long.
No lie, I felt completely drained as if I had come down with a cold, and my head was throbbing. Since these guys were 80% responsible for making me feel this way, I gave them an exasperated look.
“So… what do you want me to do?”
When I muttered quietly, Maeng Moa looked at Jung Hyoin.
“Hyung! Just this once. Then I’ll ask my dad to send whatever singer you want as a congratulatory performance for the Artists’ Competition.”
“Oh? Really? Hey, Jung Hyoin, come out.”
Jung Hyoin finally frowned deeply. Unlike me, who was stunned by Maeng Moa’s incredible deal scale, Jung Jaein seemed excited and began urging with a broad smile.
“I don’t need it.”
“What don’t you need? Come out, you bastard.”
Jung Jaein shouted, but without answering her, Jung Hyoin stared blankly at Maeng Moa and said.
“You’re not doing this because you want to ride in this car.”
“…No, I am. I want to ride in it. This is the limited edition K-series model, with only five made for the 50th anniversary.”
Maeng Moa corrected him with a slight smile, and Jung Hyoin blinked slowly. There seemed to be a strange current flowing, so I just observed everyone’s expressions.
Then I found myself staring straight ahead as Byeon Seungha kept glaring at me. His face looked like he had a lot to say. He probably suspected I was plotting something again since Son Gyucheon was in the group that had gathered for today’s presentation… I considered refuting this first but decided against it.
It wasn’t something to discuss here anyway.
I looked up at the sky while rubbing my goosebump-covered forearms from the cold. A flash of light was briefly visible between the clouds in the dark sky. It seemed like thunder was about to strike any moment.
With a muffled feeling, I took a deep breath and glanced at the guys who were still arguing, then picked up my phone. It didn’t seem like I would get home smoothly at this rate.
Realizing the situation wouldn’t be resolved by just talking, I was about to call a taxi when Yoon Taean suddenly came to mind. Since he receives additional education after school, he should still be here. Wondering if he might have an umbrella, I called him.
After a few rings, Yoon Taean answered and spoke.
―What?
At his brief question telling me to get to the point, I smiled slightly and answered.
“Where are you?”
At that moment, Jung Hyoin and Maeng Moa, who had been arguing, looked at me. Not just them, I could feel other people’s gazes too, so I rolled my eyes sideways.
―I’m in the student council room right now, why?
“Ah, it’s pouring outside. Do you have an umbrella?”
―Yeah. There’s one provided in the classroom.
Fortunately, he seemed to have one. Just as I was about to hang up, relieved I wouldn’t have to worry, Yoon Taean continued.
―What’s going on… oh, wait. Yes, it’s my brother. Looks like he called about the rain outside.
I could faintly hear the voice of someone he was talking to through the speaker, though it wasn’t clearly transmitted. The voice, mixed with mechanical noise, sounded rough and indistinct, yet somehow familiar. After I remained silent for a moment, Yoon Taean finished his conversation and soon asked me.
―You don’t have an umbrella?
“That’s right, but don’t worry. I’ll take a taxi.”
The guys who had been staring at me intently all simultaneously frowned. Though it was a subtle reaction, I lowered my head after seeing Maeng Moa biting his lip and Moon Seoheon moving his lips.
It seemed like they had something they wanted to say, but they were keeping quiet for now since I was on the phone. Despite their forcefulness, they hadn’t completely abandoned their manners, showing unexpected politeness.
―Wait a bit.
“Huh? …Why?”
―Senior Junhee says he’ll bring you an umbrella. Where are you now?
I ended up biting my tongue at Yoon Taean’s words. It wasn’t a hard bite, but I was surprised, and as I rolled my tongue, he thought I hadn’t heard and asked again.
―Where are you, I said?
“It’s fine. Tell him not to come. I’ll take a taxi.”
Yoon Taean continued to respond, but I didn’t listen and hung up. It was kind of him to offer to bring an umbrella. But somehow, I felt like things would get more exhausting if Kwak Junhee came here too.
I inwardly clicked my tongue, checked that the call had ended, and installed a taxi-calling app from the app store.
Moon Seoheon, who was next to me, saw this and spoke.
“Are you calling a taxi?”
“Yeah.”
The app was downloading slowly as if the Wi-Fi wasn’t working well. As I just looked at the screen and responded lightly, Maeng Moa, who had moved away from the car, approached us and asked.
“Are you really calling a taxi?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re not going to ride in that car?”
Someone might think it’s your car if they heard you. To be honest, I was a bit disappointed that I couldn’t ride in that sleek car. When would I ever get to ride something like that? I was curious about how comfortable it would be, but it was better to give up since it was obvious I’d be uncomfortable if I rode with these guys.
And I really wanted to get home quickly. I was planning to take a hot shower and then cook some ramen when Jung Hyoin came out. Jung Jaein was also surprised, her eyes widening, as he moved when she couldn’t budge him no matter how hard she pulled.
“Why?”
I made a puzzled expression at Jung Hyoin, who came out but was standing in front of the car and asking. He tilted his head slightly and said.
“You asked me to take you home.”
At that moment, Jung Jaein raised one eyebrow and looked back and forth between her brother and me. Her mysteriously raised corner of the mouth made her look like she had seen something unexpected but found it incredibly amusing.
“…It’s fine. You all go together.”
I was tired of watching a dispute that might never end. It’s almost been 25 minutes now, you bastards. Are you going to stay here for an hour? I couldn’t understand why Byeon Seungha was just standing there instead of quickly going home, and feeling unbearable, I immediately ran the app that had finished installing.
Just then, Moon Seoheon stepped forward and covered my hand with his pale one as I was entering my home address.
“Who was that on the phone just now?”
“Huh? …Yoon Taean.”
After I answered quietly to his sudden question, Moon Seoheon withdrew his hand. I looked at him with a bewildered expression for a moment, then finished entering the address and made the call, receiving a notification that there was a taxi nearby.
The guys who had been standing and just staring at me were quiet. Breaking that silence, Jung Jaein spoke.
“So friend Taeho is taking a taxi? Then… did I need to come?”
Her manner of speaking with a grin seemed sly. Despite what she was saying, she appeared to be in a good mood. But I felt sorry for causing trouble to Jung Hyoin by asking him to take me home, so I bowed at the waist.
“I’m sorry you came all the way here to pick him up. Please drive safely on your way back.”
After completing my greeting and raising my lowered head, Jung Jaein, who had been staring with wide eyes, soon burst into laughter.
“Oh, it’s been a while since I’ve seen such a polite child. But have you been trained somewhere? Your posture is so proper.”
I smiled slightly, hiding my flustered inner feelings.
Soon my phone vibrated, notifying me that the taxi had arrived at the front of the school. But I wondered if the car could enter inside the school gate. It should be fine since Jung Jaein had brought her car in too. Thinking I should go out so the driver could see me better, I stood at the entrance, when I heard someone calling my name from behind.
“Yoon Taeho!”
As I turned my startled body slowly, the sound of someone quickly coming down the stairs came with the sight of Kwak Junhee. He was holding an umbrella in his hand.
No, I told him not to come. Did he really come all the way down here to bring an umbrella? I looked at Kwak Junhee with a bewildered feeling. Kwak Junhee, who had been approaching with quick steps, saw the gathered people and gradually slowed his pace.
“…What’s going on, why is everyone here? …Jaein noona?”
“Hello, Junhee. You’re still looking handsome.”
She greeted him cheerfully as he was surprised to see Jung Jaein after examining Moon Seoheon and the three others with a puzzled look.
It seems they all know each other well, including Byeon Seungha. Since they were all children from extraordinary families, they probably maintained relationships since childhood.
As I was looking around at everyone with the feeling of watching a morning drama, my phone rang. It was the taxi driver.
“Hello.”
―Where are you? I’ve arrived at the school gate. Should I come in…
“Yes, could you please come in? I’m at the entrance of the main building, and I’ll wave when you arrive.”
―Okay, understood.
After hanging up, I glanced back. Kwak Junhee politely greeted Jung Jaein, then approached me.
“Were you just going to leave? …You’ve been rather disappointing lately.”
Kwak Junhee was smiling gently. Though his added words were mixed with humor, they had a hint of sharpness. Above all, his dark blue eyes seemed even deeper, appearing almost black. Looking at his somehow rigid face, I spoke nonchalantly.
“…I’m sorry. I didn’t want to bother you.”
Kwak Junhee nodded with an understanding expression, then handed me the umbrella he was holding. I hesitated for a moment, then lowered my head to show my gratitude.
After securing the umbrella and confirming that the taxi was coming from a distance, I opened it wide. Since my body was already partially outside the entrance, rain immediately fell onto the umbrella. Listening to the pitter-patter sound of rain, I looked at the others.
Unlike Jung Jaein, who still had a meaningful smile, I made eye contact with each of the expressionless guys in turn. Was it because of the weather? Everyone’s gazes seemed to have sunk to a chilly level.
As I was briefly considering whether I should say goodbye, Moon Seoheon, who was looking outside, held out his palm as if to check the heavy raindrops. His hand instantly became wet with rainwater. It didn’t seem like a particularly meaningful action, but seeing it, Kwak Junhee muttered a question.
“Uh… Seoheon, you don’t have an umbrella?”
“No.”
Kwak Junhee, who had somehow made a subtle expression as if embarrassed, moved his lips.
Since all the main characters were gathered, there was no need to worry about Moon Seoheon not having an umbrella. The honking of the taxi brought me back to my senses, and I quickly waved my hand.
In my hurry, I couldn’t properly say goodbye and ran to open the door. Before getting in, I gave one last look toward where The Four were standing.
I couldn’t see their faces clearly because of the heavy rain, but I nodded my head roughly and got into the taxi.
Thanks to the umbrella Kwak Junhee gave me, I arrived home safely without getting soaked after getting out.
