“Chick! I was just about to—huh?”
Kwon Yuri, who had been waving her hand cheerfully as she approached, tilted her head in curiosity. Then, as she alternated her gaze between me and herself, a sly grin spread across her face.
“Pervert.”
“…”
Her eyes glinted mischievously as she muttered in a teasing tone.
When she crossed her arms and pretended to wrap them around her shoulders, the fabric of her top stretched taut.
Her sweat-soaked shirt, clinging to her skin, revealed the silhouette of something black underneath and her fair skin with even more clarity.
“Seriously, you’re so bold.”
“I think the one showing is more at fault than the one looking.”
“Well, what am I supposed to do about the heat? Ugh, can you see the sweat here? If I were at home, I’d be walking around naked…”
“…”
“So, what are you going to do now?”
“About what?”
“About what? After peeping at a grown woman’s underwear, you dare to act so shamelessly? I’m too embarrassed to get married now.”
“And so?”
“Take responsibility.”
“I wasn’t peeping; it was you who—”
“Take responsibility, take responsibility, take responsibility…”
“…”
Kwon Yuri plugged her ears with her fingers and shook her head dramatically. Her petulant behavior was reminiscent of an obstinate preschooler. Does she really enjoy acting like this?
“Ahaha, thanks to you, Chick, I managed to avoid a big disaster.”
Only after carrying on for a while did Kwon Yuri finally lower her arms with a satisfied smile.
“I didn’t realize I was this soaked. I almost ended up being labeled an exhibitionist by the other kids…”
There’s no need to mention that she already seems like one to me.
“I swear, I don’t know why it’s so hot these days. It’s still way too early to switch to summer uniforms…”
As Kwon Yuri belatedly fastened her buttons, she lightly tapped my arm in a friendly manner. However, when I instinctively flinched in reaction, she pouted as if offended.
“What? Can’t we even greet each other like this?”
“My apologies. You startled me.”
“Hmph.”
I walked alongside Kwon Yuri as we made our way through the hallway.
By now, I was somewhat accustomed to her presence.
Though she could be as annoying as a fruit fly, she didn’t actually cause any harm, which might explain why.
Of course, that doesn’t mean all suspicions about her true intentions have been completely dispelled.
“Anyway… how have you been?”
“More or less. By the way, have you been well, Senior? That day…”
“Chick, are you worrying about me now? I’m so touched.”
“…”
Pretending to wipe away tears, Kwon Yuri stretched her arms with a dramatic yawn.
“I’ve been fine. I managed to avoid Choi Ireh by hiding out in a secret place.”
Recalling the past, she gave a slight shiver.
“I escaped through a secret passageway, but she followed me like a ghost. You have no idea how hard it was to shake her off.”
“…”
“I still can’t figure out how she found out. Did someone secretly tip her off or something…”
Watching her grumble, a pang of guilt stirred within me. After all, the one who had diverted Choi Ireh’s attention toward Kwon Yuri was none other than me.
Still, I don’t feel particularly sorry about it. If anything, I find it a bit regrettable.
Considering how Kwon Yuri had always managed to wriggle her way out of trouble, I did wish she’d had a taste of her own medicine just once.
“These days, you wouldn’t believe how exhausting it is because of Ireh. She talks about that guy all day long, like some lovesick girl… Who could she have seen to be acting like this…”
Kwon Yuri rubbed her forehead as if nursing a headache.
“It’s so strange. No matter how much I think about it, there wasn’t anyone like that invited to the banquet…”
Muttering to herself, she suddenly turned her head and locked eyes with me. Her gaze felt so sharp, it seemed as though it could pierce through my mask and reach my skin.
“…Why are you looking at me like that?”
“…Just because. You’re handsome.”
“…?”
Kwon Yuri stuck out her tongue playfully before quickly changing the subject.
“Anyway… after hiding for a few hours, I came out, and by then, everything was already over.”
“I see. That’s a relief.”
“Whoever it was, they’ll definitely get punished. Ruining such a joyous festival like that…”
She mumbled to herself before tilting her head. Then, glancing at me out of the corner of her eye, she asked a question.
“Chick.”
“Yes?”
“Can I ask you something?”
At her sudden question, an uneasy memory flashed in my mind. Was she going to ask about the aftermath of that day?
It was Kwon Yuri who had invited me to the Shadow Banquet, but surely, she hadn’t deliberately schemed to connect me with that person.
There’s no way she would have known about our past relationship.
But with her talkative nature, it wouldn’t be surprising if she was curious about the details.
“You know… by any chance…”
However, the question that came out of her mouth was completely unrelated.
“Are you dating Minha?”
“Huh?”
Startled, I unintentionally blurted out a question in return, but soon nodded my head in acknowledgment.
Apparently, our engagement would only be officially announced after passing formal screening. Still, those with a keen eye might have already figured it out.
Above all, knowing Yeon Minha, she likely hadn’t been subtle about it.
“Ah, I see…”
Hearing my response, Kwon Yuri nodded with an unreadable expression.
But then, shrugging her shoulders, she offered her congratulations.
“Ahaha, congratulations. Honestly, I kind of saw it coming. You two were always together since the beginning of the semester…”
“Thank you.”
“You know I’m an expert in relationship advice, right? If you ever run into trouble while dating Minha, come see me. I’ll help you out.”
“Do you also have a fiancé, Senior?”
“Nope, I don’t.”
“…?”
Her nonchalant reply left me momentarily speechless. With a grin, Kwon Yuri continued speaking.
“So, are you guys getting engaged right away?”
“Probably. They’re planning to submit the official application during the next Regular Committee Meeting. But with the current political situation being so chaotic, the exact timing is still unknown…”
“Hmm… so until the committee meets, you’re not officially a couple?”
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, nothing. I just thought, legally speaking, that’s the case.”
“Well… I suppose that’s true, legally speaking.”
She continued her cryptic remarks.
“Did you know? Some people even submit fake engagement papers.”
“Is that so?”
Feigning ignorance, I responded. Of course, I was aware. After all, I helped Jin Yeseo with a similar matter just a few days ago.
I was merely curious about why she had brought up such a topic.
“Yeah. It’s probably more common than you think. There are quite a few students in the second year who’ve done it. You’d be surprised if you heard their names.”
“What’s the reason?”
“Well, it varies. Some want to focus on their studies, some want to fend off unwanted attention, and others…”
Kwon Yuri placed a finger to her lips as she spoke.
“Some might actually have someone they truly love.”
“…Fascinating.”
“Right? Human affairs can be so amusing.”
“But why are you suddenly bringing that up?”
At that, Kwon Yuri smirked, the corner of her mouth curling up.
“…I just felt like telling you?”
“Pardon?”
“Oh, come on, what’s with the ‘why’? I just said it because it came to mind. Anyway, I have to head upstairs now.”
Standing in front of the stairs, Kwon Yuri turned to look at me and extended her hand.
“By the way, Chick. Can I borrow your uniform jacket?”
“…?”
As I stared at her in confusion, Kwon Yuri casually lifted a finger and pointed at her sweat-drenched shirt.
“I can’t walk around like this. I’d die of embarrassment…”
“What about your own?”
“Ugh, obviously, I left it in the dormitory. That’s why I’m asking to borrow yours!”
“…”
“Come on, don’t be like that. Let me borrow it…! I’ll wash it thoroughly and return it, okay? Pleasepleaseplease…”
When her usual tactics didn’t seem to work, she began to whine.
Though her attitude was exasperating, it was hard to ignore someone asking for help in such a state.
In the end, I reluctantly took off my outerwear and handed it to Kwon Yuri.
“Hehe, thanks. You really saved me.”
Kwon Yuri flashed a bright smile, as if the earlier whining had never happened.
“Alright, I’m off. I’ll return it tomorrow, okay? Bye!”
Waving her hand, she quickly disappeared beyond the stairs.
I stood still, staring at the spot where she had just been.
It felt like a typhoon had swept through.
What was that even about…
***
After sparring with Jin Yeseo, I sat on the ground to catch my breath.
The intense physical activity in the sweltering heat had left me drenched in sweat, as though it were pouring rain.
“Hey. Instead of just blade sparring, how about teaching me something else?”
Jin Yeseo, who had been sitting beside me and sipping water, suddenly proposed.
“Something else? I don’t really have anything else to teach. You’re better at studying than I am.”
“Geez, not that kind of stuff. I mean, like self-defense or something.”
She moved her body restlessly, mimicking a few motions, as if trying to demonstrate what she meant.
“Like subduing someone by pressing them down… you know, that kind of thing…”
“I do know some techniques, but you’ll learn them all in the second year anyway.”
“Learning in advance is better, though. So, are you refusing to teach me?”
Jin Yeseo grinned and casually threw out a comment.
“Ah, is it because you’re afraid I might beat you later…”
“…Fine, I’ll teach you. Happy now? But I’m not sure if an automaton would work as a demonstration model. Its joints might not bend that way…”
“What? Automaton? No way. You have to practice directly on me. That’s the best way to learn quickly.”
“I don’t mind, but it’s really painful. I’ve experienced it myself, you know…”
“It’s fine. No way it’ll hurt more than this.”
Jin Yeseo scoffed and pointed at something with her finger. Below her exposed navel, the dark traces of a bruise were clearly visible.
“Oh, right.”
She shrugged her shoulders as if it were no big deal and quickly changed the topic.
“By the way… weren’t you kind of close with Yena from Class B?”
Then, she suddenly mentioned a familiar name.
“Yena? Yeah, she’s my friend. Why?”
“Why are you answering so fast?”
The blonde-haired female student pouted, as if she wasn’t entirely pleased with my response.
“Between her and me, who are you closer to…”
“Of course, I’m closer to you. So, why are you asking about Yena all of a sudden?”
“…”
Hearing the answer she wanted, Jin Yeseo fell silent. After hesitating for a moment, she spoke with a slightly awkward tone.
“…Well, I heard some bad rumors going around among the girls.”
“Bad rumors?”
“Yeah.”
Jin Yeseo nodded.
“What kind of rumors?”
“Stuff like seeing her wandering around outside past curfew… or having secret conversations with Tubby Professor… things like that. It’s not a big deal, though…”
“Hmm… couldn’t it just be false rumors?”
“Probably not. If it were just one or two people saying it, maybe, but a lot of people seem to have seen it… though there might be some misunderstandings.”
Jin Yeseo shook her head.
“From what I know, she’s a scholarship student from the outskirts, right? Maybe she’s just not familiar with the ways of the world yet. I heard she has a kind personality, though…”
A pang of guilt hit me. Yena was the first friend I made after arriving at the cradle.
But the truth was, I hadn’t paid much attention to her lately, caught up in my own busy schedule.
The last time I had any meaningful interaction with her was before my trip to the First City. Since then, I’d only sent get-well gifts or occasionally heard about her through others.
I had been reassured by the updates that she was adapting well to life at the cradle. But based on what I was hearing now, that might not be the full story.
I was confident she wasn’t involved in delinquency or deviance. That didn’t align with her nature at all.
Could she be struggling with some hidden troubles? It seemed like I needed to check on her.
“…Alright, I’ll look into it. Thanks for letting me know.”
“Don’t mention it. It’s no big deal.”
Jin Yeseo waved her hand dismissively. Yet, she seemed like she still had more to say.
Did she know something even worse about Yena? Just as I was wondering…
“…Hey. Can I ask you something?”
The blonde-haired female student, twisting her hair with a dissatisfied expression, posed a question.
“What is it?”
“Is that rumor… true?”
“What rumor?”
“You know, about you and Yena… being in such a relationship at the beginning of the semester…”
“What?”