# Chapter 69
“Why? Was it uncomfortable?”
Moon Seoheon asked in a gentle tone. As if he wasn’t bothered at all by my words. Rather, his voice was filled with concern that I might have been upset, which momentarily stopped my hand as I was rummaging to take out my textbook.
“…”
I couldn’t answer immediately as I couldn’t read any emotion from Moon Seoheon’s expression when I glanced at him. I was so flustered that I didn’t even realize his question was the same as what Maeng Moa had already asked, so I just exhaled softly.
“Or have you really gotten comfortable?”
“…No. How could I be comfortable?”
I regained my composure and answered his second question. It was such a ridiculous thing to say that my response came naturally out of disbelief.
Moon Seoheon, blinking his eyes slowly, tapped his fingers on the desk. His intense gaze was so serious that I thought he might be upset this time, and I was about to add something, but he was faster.
“Then why didn’t you say so?”
“What?”
“You could have said something before sitting down.”
As if saying something would make a difference. I didn’t think for a second that those guys would hear my words and go, “I see,” and return to their classroom. Even if I had begged earnestly, they wouldn’t have listened. The more I thought about it, the more absurd it seemed, and my mouth fell open. Besides, why was he asking?
“You probably didn’t like Seungha taking your seat either.”
“Of course…”
I was about to say yes but clamped my mouth shut. So this guy also knows that I’m displeased. If Moon Seoheon knows, then not just Byeon Seungha but the other guys must know too.
I’d suspected as much, but hearing it directly from his mouth made it a different matter entirely. My expression soured unconsciously. My furrowed brow and protruding lips twitched. I was barely suppressing the urge to curse when Moon Seoheon spoke as if to soothe me.
“I thought it was fine since you didn’t say anything in particular. Next time when the guys come, try saying something.”
What kind of advice is that? Fortunately, my anger subsided, but I couldn’t help but laugh at how absurd it was. Whether I laughed or not, Moon Seoheon maintained his expressionless face and straightened his upper body. Looking at his correct posture, a question suddenly occurred to me.
“Are you angry by any chance?”
At my question, Moon Seoheon opened his eyes wide. His expression seemed to wonder why I would think that. Thinking I might be wrong, I let out a low hum. If that wasn’t the case, does that mean his words weren’t meant to mock but came from genuine concern?
I swallowed the rising sigh and opened my mouth. There was no sign of anger in my tone, just a dejected, lamenting statement that escaped my lips.
“You should say it for me then. Tell them not to come every lunch period.”
At those words, low sighs were heard from around us. I flinched without realizing and rolled my eyes to look at the classmates seated around. They all seemed to be minding their own business without giving us a single glance, but a strange current had formed. The atmosphere grew even heavier due to me and Moon Seoheon falling silent with our mouths tightly shut.
Well, it wasn’t a completely quiet atmosphere, but the kids sitting nearby must have heard our conversation clearly. I glanced back briefly. Ko Kyungsu, whose eyes met mine, flinched slightly and smiled awkwardly. The subtle expectation in his eyes as he glanced at Moon Seoheon was noticeable.
Clicking my tongue inwardly, I looked at Moon Seoheon. See how the kids are hoping for something? I put my elbows on the desk and interlaced my fingers, as if to say if you’re feeling it too, say something.
Moon Seoheon, who glanced at my gesture, laughed weakly.
“You want me to say it?”
“Yes.”
After lightly stroking his chin as if contemplating, he laughed again with a “pft” and said:
“Alright. But they won’t listen even if I tell them.”
At least he’s not refusing to do it. I nodded roughly and glanced around. A flush of excitement was beginning to spread across the faces of the kids I could glimpse. If that happens, I’d be more comfortable too, so my stifling feelings started to ease.
“Then what will you do?”
“What?”
“I asked what you’ll do if the guys don’t listen.”
What will I do… Well, if it doesn’t have much effect, it would be disappointing, but I’d just have to accept it and move on. I temporarily put aside my thoughts and stared at Moon Seoheon. His questioning attitude, as if he had something specific in mind, seemed meaningful. When I thought about it, it was really strange. Today, not just Maeng Moa but even this guy who doesn’t usually talk much was asking so many questions. My eyebrows raised at his behavior that seemed like he was trying to probe me.
“Why are you asking that?”
Finally, when I asked directly, fine wrinkles formed around Moon Seoheon’s eyes. As I stared blankly at him, he scratched near his eyes and answered slowly:
“Just… wondering how far you’re willing to go.”
Huh? Just as I was about to ask what he meant, the classroom door opened and the teacher came in. At the teacher’s instruction to quickly open our books since she was late, I hurriedly took out my textbook.
With the class proceeding immediately and the teacher emphasizing the importance of taking notes, my conversation with Moon Seoheon ended there.
* * *
The rain that had been pouring like a waterfall all day gradually weakened toward the end of the sixth period, and by the time all classes were over, it had changed to a drizzle. The gloomy weather remained, but it was much easier to go home.
“Are you taking a break from training today too?”
“No. We originally planned to do alternative exercise in the gym, but since the rain has weakened, it seems it’s changed to water combat.”
Moon Seoheon prepared to leave right away while packing his bag. The rain had weakened, but it still wasn’t appropriate weather for exercising. Well, I’ve heard that even real athletes sometimes deliberately practice in the rain, so I nodded in understanding.
Unlike Moon Seoheon who was leaving the classroom quickly as if he needed to hurry, I slowly packed my things because of my appointment with Ye Abin. It was more of a forced stay due to his threat rather than an appointment, so I was wondering where to pass the time until then.
Then, I noticed the long umbrella neatly placed under the desk and lifted my head abruptly.
“Moon Seoheon!”
Just as he was about to cross the threshold, he stopped at my call and turned around.
“Do you know which class Sunbae Kwak Junhee is in?”
“…Why?”
“So I can return his umbrella.”
After making a small “Ah” sound, he seemed to think for a moment before saying:
“Class 10. But if you don’t go quickly, he might not be in the classroom. In that case, try the student council room.”
“Got it. Thanks.”
Since I had to wait for an hour anyway and thought I had plenty of time, I had been dawdling, but his words made my movements quick and sharp. After packing my bag and grabbing the umbrella, I greeted Moon Seoheon, who was leaving first, and headed towards the third-year classrooms.
I stopped in front of Class 10, as Moon Seoheon had told me. With many students either studying or sleeping with their heads down, it was difficult to find Kwak Junhee. As I peered in from the front, a rather large student, probably from this class, asked what business I, a second-year, had.
“I came looking for Sunbae Kwak Junhee.”
“Ah… Junhee went to the student council room.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Looks like I’m already late. I thanked the student who informed me and bowed my head. Whether it was his natural character or not, the casual-looking guy made a bewildered expression at my greeting. As I looked at him curiously, wondering why he reacted that way, I noticed the long scar on his cheek.
Seeing that, I felt a strange sense of familiarity and stared at him. Since he was a character in an anime and almost an extra, it couldn’t be that I’d seen him somewhere before.
“What are you looking at, are you going to whine to Abin about being wronged again?”
I stopped just as I was about to turn around and looked at him. His upturned mouth shape was unpleasant.
I recalled what he had said and carefully examined his appearance. Given that Ye Abin’s name came up, he was clearly related… Soon, my eyes widened as a scene came to mind. This bastard is that delinquent who’s friendly with Ye Abin.
He was also the one who threatened Yoon Taeho, who had been demoted to one star, not to approach Ye Abin when he went looking for him. The whole scene flashed through my mind like a panorama, including how Yoon Taeho had claimed he was wronged, saying something like “did you plan to discard me like this?”
I frowned, bothered by the word “wronged” that this big guy had used.
Seeing my expression, he approached with a scornful smile.
“Looks like you’re trying to suck up to The Four these days, but just keep acting like usual. Take good care of Moon Seoheon. Abin takes care of someone like you because he feels sorry for you.”
I deliberately tried to soften my expression that was becoming stiff. After watching the guy turning his body for a moment, I quickly turned around too and left the third-year corridor.
There’s definitely something there. I wasn’t sure what, but it was clear that Yoon Taeho and Ye Abin’s relationship didn’t start as just ordinary friends.
Setting aside my thoughts for now, I walked quickly. I needed to reach the student council room before the break ended. I was able to find it quickly by asking a passing student.
After confirming the sign that read “Student Council Room,” I hesitated whether to knock but decided to open it first. Fortunately, the door opened smoothly, and I peeked in to look around.
The conference table and chairs in the middle immediately caught my eye. On the right side of the entrance, there was a multi-person sofa for relaxing and storage cabinets, while the left side showed only a white painted wall with nothing on it.
The floor was covered with beige tiles, making it look fresh and bright, and the space was generally open.
The atmosphere inside was relaxed. Students who were each doing their own work noticed me opening the door but not entering, and looked at me with puzzled expressions.
“Oh? You are…”
“Hello. Is Sunbae Kwak Junhee here?”
I asked a student whose eyes met mine as I looked around. The student shook their head and checked the time.
“The student council president just stepped out. A teacher called for him, so he might come back when the bell rings.”
Well, this is difficult to meet him. I sighed softly and glanced at the umbrella. After pondering what to do, I quietly entered and asked the student:
“This is Sunbae Kwak Junhee’s umbrella. Could you please give it to him when he returns?”
“Oh, sure.”
The student answered somewhat absentmindedly and took the umbrella I handed over. Only then did I feel relieved and bowed my head again before leaving the student council room.
If Yoon Taean or Lee Jinyoung had been there, I might have been able to enter more comfortably, but they weren’t visible, perhaps not having arrived yet. I scratched the back of my neck as I closed the door and trudged down the corridor.
“Should I go to the library?”
Thinking that Ye Abin would contact me when the time came, I started going up the stairs when someone called me from behind.
“Taeho?”
“Ah, Sunbae Jinyoung. Hello.”
When I turned around, Lee Jinyoung was looking at me while holding notebooks against her chest. When I greeted her, she nodded with a gentle smile.
“Hi. But aren’t you going home?”
Lee Jinyoung looked up at the higher floor and tilted her head. She was asking why I was going up instead of heading home.
“Well… I have an appointment, so I’m just trying to pass some time before going.”
“Ah… I see, understood. Then see you tomorrow.”
I was about to bow my head to Lee Jinyoung who smiled brightly and waved goodbye, but I stopped and called out to her. She stopped walking and turned around, opening her eyes wide as if asking what was the matter.
“I heard there was an incident in the student council room yesterday. I called because I was wondering if everything was okay.”
“Ah, that. It’s nothing much.”
Lee Jinyoung sighed lightly and smiled as if deflated.
“It seems the chain letter is circulating again these days. Someone got caught filming while trying to complete a mission written in it.”
“Chain letter?”
My eyes widened at the familiar yet unfamiliar term. Lee Jinyoung smiled somewhat awkwardly and said:
“Yes. Just like last year, someone must have started it again. It’s not like you get demoted for not playing such games, but since it’s been a floating legend for a long time, a first-year student did it out of fear.”
“Ah.”
“Anyway, I have to go now. Taeho, if anything happens, tell me right away. Be careful.”
“Yes. See you tomorrow.”
Lee Jinyoung, pulling up the corners of her mouth to show a bright smile, left. I took a light breath and organized my thoughts.
A chain letter… I didn’t know such things would be popular here too. Since it was never covered in the anime, I felt bewildered. Whenever something unknown appeared, rather than feeling curious or excited, I only felt uneasy. I was also wary because despite its name suggesting “luck,” it actually brought misfortune.
Since it seemed like just a kind of prank, I decided not to think too deeply about it and headed to the library.
