Creak....
I thought I opened the door very carefully, but the hearing of growing kids is more sensitive than I thought.
Immediately, the students’ eyes turned towards the back door. And most of them, upon discovering that I was the source of the noise, quickly turned their heads away.
Well, it’s not every day you see a blonde, tanned delinquent get drenched with water. No one would want to make eye contact in such a situation.
Of course, it doesn’t apply to Yoon Dong-gun and Park Ha-eun, the main characters in the works.
‘But now it’s a bit better.’
Indeed, the classroom was warmer than outside, and having dried off, I wasn’t as cold anymore.
It was uncomfortable wearing wet clothes, but at least the humidity was low, so they were drying quickly.
Well, if you play with the kids, accidents happen. You can end up soaked and have to take classes without changing the clothes.
I understand completely. No, really, I’m fine. So please, Park Ha-eun, stop walking towards me!
“Uh… Ji-woon…?”
“…”
Her voice was soft. It carried genuine concern and consideration.
While Ye-ji might come across as irritable, there’s an underlying tenderness to her, whereas Park Ha-eun exudes an open-hearted warmth.
Compassion and gentle demeanor. Those words seem to suit Park Ha-eun.
There’s a common belief that women with big hearts can’t be unkind… though, that might be an overstatement.
Anyway, since she spoke to me, I had to respond. But still, I couldn’t find the right words.
“I’m really sorry. Like I said before, it wasn’t on purpose.”
“…”
“I was just so worried when I heard you were hospitalized… I wanted to talk to you as soon as possible. So I rushed over and… Ah, what am I even saying…”
Although there was no immediate visible reaction, Park Ha-eun continued speaking with conviction, her hands fidgeting slightly.
I hadn’t experienced their relationship firsthand, but it was clear that Park Ha-eun was sincerely trying. To go back to how things were before. To return to the bright past we shared together.
Even if our relationship had soured, the old affection remained. Some might find Park Ha-eun’s behavior in the story frustrating, but I didn’t see it negatively.
It was the same in the past, and it’s the same now that I’m facing her in reality.
“It’s okay. My clothes are dry now. You don’t have to worry.”
“But it’s still very cold… I have my gym clothes with me, do you want to borrow them? They’re clean, I can give them to you right now.”
“No, really, I’m fine.”
“Oh… okay…”
I appreciate the thought, but realistically, your tiny gym clothes wouldn’t fit me… Well, maybe they’d be loose around the chest.
Anyway, Ye-ji said she’d bring me clothes later, so I don’t need them. Besides, I don’t really want to get involved with Park Ha-eun.
She’s a good and upright person, I can tell just from talking to her a few times, but sadly, she’s the heroine and I’m the villain.
Water and oil. Fire and grass. Electricity and flying (if you’re thinking of the Pokémon type chart, that's right).
We’re just beings that should never mix, capable of dealing fatal blows to each other.
You may not understand now, but you’ll see when you go to college and enter society. You should never associate with a guy like me.
Imagine, Ji-woon grows up, gets into gambling, and then comes to you, begging for money? Of course, it’s a given he’ll disappear after borrowing it.
So please, can you stop looking at me with those bright, innocent eyes? You almost made me waver again, you retriever.
“So, um… do you have time this week?”
My heart sank. The trembling in my legs that had stopped suddenly began to shake again. If this conversation continues as it is, the next thing she’ll say is…
“I feel so bad about the mistake, would you like to have a meal together? My treat! You like chicken, right? I know a great place.”
There it is, her true intentions. This cunning girl. As if I don’t know about your devious plan to ensnare Ji-woon in your slender grasp.
And what do you mean you know a good place? It’s common knowledge that chicken tastes good no matter where you go. That’s where you’ve already gone wrong, Park Ha-eun.
"I'm sorry. I'm busy."
"Oh, really? Then, what about next week?"
"I'm busy then, too."
"Then... What about the next week?"
“The same goes for the week after next.”
“Mou! You’re so mean…”
Her lips pouted, and in that moment, she was so adorable that I almost wanted to rubbed her cheeks with my palm.
Who knew she’d resort to such a cunning trick? Perhaps I’d underestimated the heroine in this romantic comedy, and swayed by her cuteness.
Park Haeun was a heroine who displayed introverted behavior and sometimes frustrated others, making her a character with divided opinions. However, at the very least, she wasn’t ridiculed for her looks or charm.
Moreover, among the heroines, she had the broadest heart (yes, exactly what you’re imagining), which already accounted for half her appeal. I’ve yet to encounter a man who prefers smaller chests over larger ones, or one who dislikes ample bosoms. Maybe they’re mythical creatures?
Anyway, how can I refuse when Park Ha-eun says this.
Right, it’s just a meal after all. A meal could mean having lunch together during lunchtime, or buying something to eat together at the snack bar. It didn’t need to be overthought.
“I’m sorry, but I’m still a bit uncomfortable with having a meal with you.”
"Ah... Is that so...?"
Of course, the words I spouted before were almost like a joke thrown in for fun.
The number one priority for me right now is to protect my ass, and the number two priority is to make the anus perform its role only as an excretion organ.
All other things were just extras, and this was my unchanging principle and strict rule.
Because of that, even if I didn't have a mealtime with cute and lively Park Ha-eun, there would never be any change in my mind.
In fact, it was a little heartbreaking to see her sullen face. I'm sorry, Park Ha-eun...
"It's a shame... If you change your mind... Please tell me anytime, Jiwoon?"
"Yes."
"Uh-huh... I'll be waiting."
Park Ha-eun, who seemed to be smiling, then went back to her seat. At the same time, the main character's gaze, who was looking at me, also stopped. Honestly, I was suffocated by that gaze, so I could say that I was a little out of breathe now.
Park Ha-eun, who had returned to her seat, didn’t exchange any words with Yoon Dong-gun. Well, he had already given up on her merciful side, so he didn't seem to feel the need to persuade or talk separately.
“Ya… good morning…!!”
As the door opened, a middle-aged woman in a typical teacher’s outfit entered. She wears a light makeup and the framed glasses that almost covered half of her fqce. And her slightly hunched shoulders seemed to carry some worry.
The dark circles under her eyes were a clear sign of who she was. You didn’t need to think too hard to figure it out.
“Ha-ha. The weather is cold… but nice! Today is another energetic start!”
“Teacher, you seem unusually awkward today. Is something wrong?”
“Oh… really? I’m not any different from usual. It’s because of my mood, my mood!”
Honestly, it wasn’t just her mood.
The woman scanning students awkwardly from the teacher’s desk was none other than Choi Da-in, the homeroom teacher for this class.
Usually, she was an energetic teacher who boosted students’ spirits, but unfortunately, she had been worried since last night about Ji-woon’s sudden appearance.
As if trying to prove something, she glanced at me and hesitated, then finally spoke.
Well, I had to introduce myself officially to the students now that I was back. But I was nervous about what might come out of my mouth.
However, after more than three minutes of awkward silence, I was getting frustrated. I wasn’t going to be able to hold on much longer.
Yeah, even though I wasn’t a teacher… as a member of society around the same age, I felt compelled to help her out. Even though I was in Ji-woon’s body. I didn’t have any desire to harm others.
“I’m Lee Ji-woon. I was in the hospital due to a traffic accident, and now I’m back. So the school feels a bit awkward. Anyway, nice to meet you.”
I raised my hand to ask Mr. Choidain to speak first, and as soon as I got the chance, I summarized the situation simply and clearly. Feeling there was no need to speak at length, I began briefly, and once again, a deep silence settled back into the classroom.
Clap.
Applause echoed. The source of the sound was none other than Park Ha-eun. She clapped enthusiastically, and the atmosphere led everyone in the class, including Choi Da-in, to join in.
‘What kind of atmosphere is this…’
I hadn’t even given a speech, yet I was receiving applause. Feeling a bit uncomfortable, I hurriedly took my seat. The applause continued for a while, and when it finally subsided, Choi Da-in returned to her usual energetic self and began to speak.
“Did everyone hear? Let’s all make an effort to help Ji-woon adjust well to school! And after morning homeroom, Ji-woon, come to the office for a brief chat. It’s nothing serious—just some paperwork related to your enrollment.”
After instructing me to come to the office, she quickly added an explanation.
It seemed like she wanted to avoid any misunderstandings from the start.
Anyway, now that the homeroom teacher had appeared, the atmosphere felt like something out of a school drama. The warm spring sunlight streaming in from the window. The unique energy of high school students. Even the protagonists I had always seen in stories.
Of course, I had no place among them, but it still felt that way.
Yeah, I should have expected this.
“Nice to see you again, Ji-woon.”
As I finished the chat and turned to leave, the student council president, Hong Seol, approached me.
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