#2
“Since it’s the first day, they’re not moving ahead with the curriculum much.”
Hee-ae sighed and put down his mechanical pencil. I actually liked that today’s classes were replaced with school introductions and such.
“The bell’s going to ring soon, so let’s hurry and get lunch.”
I kept checking the clock as I spoke. Lunch time is supposed to start at 50 minutes past the hour, but it’s already 51 minutes. The clock seems to be a few minutes fast.
Ding—
The monotonous school bell rang at exactly 52 minutes. What a plain and uninspired bell sound. Taking shortcuts like that with the bell sound is practically robbery. I quickly got up and rushed out with Hee-ae. If you’re even a little late to the cafeteria, you’ll have to wait forever.
“Let’s make way for them!”
“Yes, let’s move aside.”
What considerate students! I wish they’d make way for me too.
The Five Great Kings don’t need any of that. They eat quickly even if they arrive late. I tactfully stepped aside and secretly held back tears. Some people can come leisurely late but still eat lunch early. That fact made me sad. As Nam-hwi passed by, Hee-ae sighed with a reddened face.
“To think we’re in the same class as him.”
While I was momentarily distracted, one of the twins made eye contact with me. I immediately showed an impressed expression on my face and clapped.
“Lee… gyeol nim made eye contact with me.”
I fumbled with the name in the middle, unsure which twin it was. They say you can tell the twins apart by a mole, but it’s too confusing. They move around so much that I can’t even see if there’s a mole.
Soon, the twin’s gaze shifted away. Seems like I got through it safely. I don’t know why I feel like I’m starring in my own horror thriller movie—it’s just depressing.
“Are they gone?”
“Yeah.”
Hee-ae fanned his reddened face with his hands. Smiling, I helped fan his face too. Gradually, Hee-ae’s face returned to its normal color. He tapped the floor with his foot and said:
“I’m a bit intense, aren’t I? It’s actually my first time seeing them up close.”
“That can happen, I guess.”
The boy next to you already fainted and was carried away, so you’re actually quite composed in comparison. Is this high school perhaps a special gathering of obsessive fans?
***
As with most schools in novels, dismissal came quite early. Schools that let you finish homeroom early are the best.
‘No self-study period either.’
I happily packed my bag.
Of course, on the way home, I diligently saved Hee-ae’s phone number. I jokingly asked Hee-ae if I could contact him often. Hee-ae seriously replied that he couldn’t answer after 11 PM.
“Until then, you can contact me as much as you want. Don’t worry about it!”
Hee-ae added after hesitating while staring at the ground.
Outside my room’s window, it was already getting dark. The house I live in is surrounded by alleyways in a residential area. And in novels, incidents always happen in alleyways. If I’m unlucky, there might be thugs roaming around.
“That brat? Everyone, catch him!”
They’re already roaming around.
When I closed the curtains, the loud shouting became a bit quieter. It’s a little scary when the noise suddenly decreases.
***
Click, the sound of a door opening.
Riiiing—
I woke up to the alarm sound. I thought I heard a door opening, but my room door was firmly shut. My dreams always end with the sound of a door opening. I slowly turned off the alarm and got out of bed.
Today is the first week since school started.
I buttoned up the top button of my beige shirt, unusually not white. March winds are still sharp as a blade. I put on a parka and left the house. The cold air hit me hard. I shrank from the chill.
“I’m off!”
The way to school was ordinary. Of course, I did encounter the Five Great Kings group in the middle. I worried about catching their attention, but nothing happened as I quietly stepped aside and cheered like the others, clapping my hands. I only briefly made eye contact with the Five Great Kings as they passed. I watched their backs as they walked away.
‘I really don’t want to do this.’
I smiled as I trudged along, exhausted. Having to praise and clap every time the Five Great Kings pass by really drains a person’s energy. Moreover, having to come up with different compliments every day since last week made it an extremely demanding job.
‘The kids who cheer next to them every day are really something.’
With this strange realization, I walked slowly. Still, someday I’ll get used to it. Thanks to the crowds following the Five Great Kings, the school entrance was somewhat empty. The sight of students moving in groups was visible through the first-floor corridor window and then disappeared.
I changed into my indoor shoes and opened the classroom door. In the classroom sat the Five Great Kings, Hee-ae, and several other students whose names I didn’t know. I urgently checked the classroom clock and saw there were still 15 minutes until homeroom.
‘But aren’t the Five Great Kings supposed to arrive late? Like, be tardy a lot?’
I felt embarrassed for checking the clock first, thinking I was late because the Five Great Kings were already there. Last week I thought they came on time because it was the beginning of the semester, but perhaps they’re exemplary Five Great Kings who care about their student records. I quietly bowed my head and took my seat.
“Hi.”
As I greeted softly, Hee-ae, who had been reading a book, looked up.
“What time did you get here?”
I asked while taking my pencil case out of my bag.
“About… 10 minutes ago? I think I came too early.”
“You’re diligent.”
I busily took out textbooks and my pencil case from my bag and arranged the books in order of the timetable before putting them in the drawer.
“Here.”
While searching my pencil case for an eraser, a piece of paper was gently placed on my desk. Someone passing by put the paper on my desk and smoothly left. What a kind student.
‘I must have dropped it.’
It’s a handout I received yesterday. I had carelessly put it in my bag, and it probably fell out when I took out my file earlier.
“Thank you.”
I replied, looking in the general direction where the student had disappeared. Though unnecessary, I neatly put the handout in my bag since they had picked it up for me.
“Did you see that?”
“Does he not know?”
The students became a bit noisy.
‘What’s going on?’
I thought as I forcefully zipped my bag. Hee-ae poked me and whispered. Hee-ae’s hands were quite strong, making my poked side ache.
“That was Nam-hwi nim just now!”
That Five Great Kings guy? The pain disappeared instantly. I was too shocked to feel any pain in my side. True to his kind ^-^ personality, he even picks up handouts for extras like me. He should really put away that kindness. My eyes widened at the unexpected situation.
“Shi-dan. You spoke informally…”
Hee-ae seemed very flustered and couldn’t continue. Ah, no wonder his voice sounded nice. I had internally admired his smooth baritone voice, like a voice actor’s. It’s my fault for not checking his face.
As soon as I felt the stares pouring in, I hit my desk and spoke with an awestruck voice.
“My goodness, that was Nam-hwi nim? Oh my. To have such an encounter—I could die without regrets.”
My voice trembled uncontrollably, but I opened my eyes wide as if overwhelmed with emotion. The students nodded at my boisterous reaction.
“Wow, I’m jealous.”
“What kind of luck is that? You must have saved a country in your past life.”
Not saved a country, but threatened the world, perhaps. I ended up in a novel I barely remember just the first chapter of.
“Shi-dan, you’re really lucky!”
Hee-ae said, even clapping his hands. The surrounding students fell for my exaggerated acting. The attention that had briefly focused on me shifted away as they started talking among themselves.
‘They actually believed it.’
While contemplating my acting skills, Hee-ae smiled brightly and said:
“I’m really jealous.”
No, don’t be jealous. Pretending to be a fan is already burdensome.
“I wish Nam-hwi nim would speak to me, even just once.”
Hee-ae looked dejected. I poked Hee-ae’s sullen cheek lightly and said:
“We’ll be in the same class all year, so you’ll have your chance.”
Hee-ae’s cheeks turned red, seemingly happy just imagining it.
“Now, good morning everyone.”
While chatting with Hee-ae, the bell had already rung. Our homeroom teacher spoke warmly and concluded the morning assembly. I like our homeroom teacher because both morning assemblies and dismissals are quick.
The first period was P.E. Recalling the groups of students crowding the way to school this morning, I asked:
“By the way, do the Five Great Kings have a fan club?”
“Of course!”
Suddenly, a rather large boy cut in and shouted. He was tall too, so I had to look up at him. It seems the characteristic of people in novels is their sociability. He just came and answered while we were talking.
“Are you interested too? I’m the president of the Five Great Kings Fan Club. Do you want to apply for membership?”
I didn’t think there really was one. But why is the fan club president a fellow first-year? Isn’t it usually a third-year? I shifted my attention to Hee-ae and stepped back.
“Hee-ae, you like Nam-hwi nim.”
“I’m the vice president of the fan club. If you want to join, just tell me anytime. There’s a simple test for the fan club, so it’s better to prepare.”
Another boy jumped out from the side and spoke solemnly. Hee-ae flinched momentarily at the mention of a test. Though he looked nervous, Hee-ae nodded.
I leaned in and whispered to Hee-ae:
“They said you can join anytime, so prepare slowly.”
‘There’s really a fan club?’
I finished changing into my P.E. uniform, skeptical about high school students being in a fan club.
“Since it’s the first period, everyone can play whatever sport they want.”
The P.E. teacher, fittingly robust, said. The teacher watched us quietly with arms crossed. The hesitant students gathered in small groups, divided into teams, and began doing what they each wanted to do. I also joined beside Hee-ae and ran around among the students.
“I need a break.”
I wiped off sweat while catching my breath in a corner of the field. I’m glad I brought water today. From a distance, the twins shouted:
“Are you resting without Han-gyeol? That’s mean.”
“Ye-gyeol is so me-an too.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
