#4
“The first time I saw him was last winter. He was standing alone as the snow fell, and he was so beautiful that I couldn’t forget him.”
I suddenly wondered what I was doing here last winter.
“He suits winter.”
Well, there are people who match certain seasons. Hee-ae’s downturned eyes looked even gentler now.
I thoughtlessly considered how Hee-ae resembled autumn. Just then, his brown hair was shimmering softly in the sunlight. It was like a procession of fallen leaves.
I spent a moment watching Hee-ae’s brown hair swaying gently. Hee-ae blushed and asked if there was something in his hair. We chatted idly to kill time.
Not long after lunch period, a group entered our classroom. Looking closer, I noticed students from other classes mixed in.
The one who had introduced himself as the president stood at the center. He naturally sat down in front of us and said, “You’re early. Haven’t you eaten yet?”
I smiled and gave a vague answer. Hee-ae seemed nervous, lightly tapping the desk with his fingers.
“Don’t be too tense, let’s keep things casual. As I mentioned earlier, I’m the president of the Five Great Kings Fan Club, and this person next to me is the vice president. The rest are just students who came to see the new recruits.”
The boy with the nice voice from earlier was among them. So they had all gathered to watch us. The president looked us over once and said, “I’ll test Nam Hee-ae first. Yu Shi-dan, I’ll ask you different questions.”
“I’ll start with the basics. Among the Five Great Kings, who has hair the color of a blazing sun?”
“Lee Ye-gyeol-nim and Lee Han-gyeol-nim.”
“What is Nam-hwi-nim’s title?”
“The Sea’s Requiem.”
Hee-ae calmly answered the questions. Hearing these strange questions in person made it difficult to maintain my composure. I desperately tried to keep a straight face.
“Last one, praise the Five Great Kings.”
“Han Yeo-wol-nim has hair that truly suits the word ‘midnight.’ That hair color along with his violet eyes makes you feel like you’ve fallen into the depths of night. And did you know that Ban Eun-gyeol-nim’s expression always has a gentle warmth to it? I could see it…”
I couldn’t see it though.
The president nodded as he listened to Hee-ae. When Hee-ae finished speaking about Nam-hwi, the president applauded and exclaimed, “Excellent! This is how it should be done.”
‘I have to do that much?’
I was already tired. I wondered if I really needed to join, but it seemed too late now.
I decided to give up and just enjoy it. Whatever happens, happens. Suddenly I felt at ease. I’ll just think of it as a check on my Five Great Kings knowledge. The president gave me an enthusiastic look and proclaimed loudly:
“You’re next. First, tell me one food that Lee Han-gyeol-nim likes.”
“Correct, strawberry milk!”
As soon as the question ended, I slapped the desk and shouted. I quickly immersed myself and looked toward the fan club. The president exclaimed in admiration.
“Good. What’s Ban Eun-gyeol-nim’s title?”
“Correct, the Knight of Blood and Iron!”
“What’s the twins’ title?”
“Correct! The Two Hearts.”
“What food does Han Yeo-wol-nim like?”
“Han Yeo-wol-nim doesn’t have a favorite food!”
I proudly held my head high as I answered. I had memorized all of this since my obsession began. I knew someone would ask someday.
“What rank did Nam-hwi-nim achieve on the entrance exam?”
“Correct! Third in the school.”
“Not many people know that. You’re well-informed. By the way, Han Yeo-wol-nim was first in the school.”
The president and I had somehow risen from our seats. The president laughed happily while talking about Han Yeo-wol. Then he pointed at me and shouted:
“This one’s a bit harder. When Nam-hwi-nim first learned about the fan club, what did he say?”
“Correct! I didn’t know such a thing existed, but I’m happy you all like us so much.”
I smiled gently at the corners of my mouth, just like Nam-hwi would. I think I imitated him so well they could call me Nam-hwi 2. The vice president tearfully said:
“The new recruits are really passionate…”
Vice president, where did that solemn tone go? The president high-fived the vice president and said:
“Good, the last question is easy. Who is that person coming in?”
I turned around. A red-haired beauty entered, hair flowing gracefully. I had already memorized how to tell the twins apart. If there’s a mole near the eye, it’s Lee Ye-gyeol; if there’s a mole near the neck, it’s Lee Han-gyeol. There’s a mole near the eye, so it’s Ye-gyeol.
“Correct. Lee Ye-gyeol-nim!”
“Oh, correct as expected. Congratulations on joining the fan club. Actually, you only needed to get three questions right…”
‘Then why did you ask so many?’
I was forcing a laugh when the narrow-eyed boy from earlier grabbed the president and said:
“President, that’s Lee Han-gyeol-nim.”
The president and I exchanged unsteady glances simultaneously. I rubbed my eyes and looked at the red-haired beauty again.
‘It wasn’t a mole but a smudge.’
What I thought was a mole near his eye was actually a smudge of soot from somewhere. In conclusion, it wasn’t Ye-gyeol but Han-gyeol. I was flustered as all eyes suddenly turned to the president and me.
In situations like this, changing the subject is best. I applauded more enthusiastically than I had during any of my previous acting and launched into a lengthy speech about Han-gyeol.
“I must have seen wrong because I overslept today. How could I make such a mistake? But seeing the radiant Lee Han-gyeol-nim today has made me snap to attention. Lee Han-gyeol-nim is so energetic today! I should follow his example and live diligently. Lee Han-gyeol-nim, you’re too dazzling, ahhh!”
The president also hurriedly cheered and praised Han-gyeol.
“Lee Han-gyeol-nim’s hair shines like that burning sun over there today. I feel like I’ll go blind, yet I can’t take my eyes off Lee Han-gyeol-nim’s appearance. I was tired until just now, but I feel energized—human vitamin C, Lee Han-gyeol-nim!!!!”
‘I should have recognized this from the day I enrolled when I confused the twins’ faces…’
I secretly wept thinking about the hints my past self had dropped. I should have realized it back then.
‘But it’s understandable to mistake a smudge for a mole.’
I nodded while defending myself. Han-gyeol’s eyes widened at the unexpectedly enthusiastic welcome as soon as he entered. He paused, seemingly a bit embarrassed by our sudden cheering. But soon he smiled brightly and said:
“Han-gyeol sees you and says stay strong!”
Wow, I guess this is what they call fan service. Hee-ae hit my arm hard in excitement.
“Lee Han-gyeol-nim personally encouraged us…”
“Hee-ae.”
Hee-ae tilted his head and looked at me as if wondering why I called him. I rubbed my sore arm.
“Nam Hee-ae, you know your hands are really strong, right?”
His golden eyes widened as if he truly hadn’t known.
“Kim In-sae. Thanks for letting me know. I’ll give you a 5,000 won discount on printing costs.”
The president slumped halfway down and continued.
“I resign from the presidency effective today. Thank you all.”
***
The next day during the break after second period. The president shuffled over to me and said:
“I was moved by your passion yesterday.”
I smiled bitterly, thinking about yesterday’s membership test.
Yesterday, after confusing the twins, the president had severely reproached himself and declared he would step down as fan club president. Though those around him convinced him not to resign, the dark circles under his eyes suggested he hadn’t slept.
‘They’re twins, so it’s natural to confuse them. The kid looks like he wants to die.’
“The fact that I dared to confuse them yesterday, ah… just thinking about it makes my heart ache again. It’s regrettable that I couldn’t step down from the presidency because of the vice president.”
He said, placing his hand on his forehead.
“Anyway, inspired by your passion, I’ve planned a fan club activity. We’re going to create a document compiling information about the Five Great Kings. I’d like you both to help.”
“But isn’t that already circulating on the internet?”
I asked, recalling what I had seen while searching before.
“Yes, but there are revised details, and those are unofficial. We’ll create an official one and inform people.”
He had a point. When I searched, there were many discrepancies in the details. However, I wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about fan club activities, so I carefully avoided the topic.
“Well, I was lucky that the test only covered things I knew, so I might not be very helpful. But I’ll try to do a few things.”
“Since you’re new, I won’t ask too much of you. Don’t worry.”
The president laughed heartily. At least he won’t dump too much on me, that’s a relief.
I turned to look at Hee-ae.
“Hee-ae? Nam Hee-ae.”
Hee-ae had his hand lightly covering his mouth and his head lowered. The president looked at Hee-ae with concern.
“Is something wrong?”
I shrugged to indicate I didn’t know. Hee-ae slowly raised his head and said:
“Earlier.”
Hee-ae’s face had turned bright red.
“I secretly looked back and… my eyes met with one of the Five Great Kings…”
Ah, so that’s it.
‘…To think I’d understand such an extreme reaction.’
It seems I’ve adapted to this world of obsession.
The president smiled good-naturedly and said he had been worried. He made the same request to Hee-ae and then stood up.
As I watched the president return to his seat, I happened to make eye contact with Han Yeo-wol who was just entering. When Han Yeo-wol entered, the students buzzed with excitement and cheered as usual.
I quickly clapped my hands and said:
“Isn’t that Han Yeo-wol-nim? They say he appeared out of nowhere in second year of middle school and has never lost his rank as number one!”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
