Chapter 16: Disruption

Was she worried about me?

She must have been worried that I’d gotten into a fight with Jihyun, especially since Jihyun looked like a troublemaker, even generously speaking.

But I’d learned that Jihyun was actually kind. She was scary but kind. Thinking of her giving me a chocolate drink, I replied.

[Nothing happened.]

She read it immediately. What? Yejin’s using her phone during class? The lesson must have been incredibly boring.

[Yejin: Really? Were you threatened or extorted?]

[Really, nothing happened, so don’t worry.]

[Yejin: I’m sorry…]

[What?? Why?]

[Yejin: I got angry this morning, and it seems like it caused you trouble…]

My apology made her feel bad. If Jihyun had actually targeted me, I might have resented Yejin, but she hadn’t, so I didn’t care.

Yejin, although I’d only known her briefly, seemed fundamentally kind. Even if she’d done something wrong, apologizing wouldn’t be easy. But she’d honestly admitted her mistake and apologized.

Both of them are amazing friends. Am I even worthy of their friendship? I’m a pathetic person compared to them.

Shaking off these depressing thoughts, I picked up my phone. I hadn’t replied to Yejin’s message. She might be worried; I typed a reply.

[No, I’m really okay. Is there lunch today?]

[Yejin: Yeah, probably? I heard there’s mapo tofu.]

[Yejin: You haven’t forgotten about lunch, have you?]

I intentionally changed the subject. Yejin followed suit.

Lunch? I raised an eyebrow; Yejin sent a playfully disappointed emoticon. Why can’t I remember? Is it because of the old man pic? That picture truly had a negative effect on me.

[Yejin: We agreed to eat together yesterday. And I was going to introduce you to a friend who wanted to be friends with you.]

[Yejin: (Rabbit emoticon pouting)]

Oh. I remembered. Yesterday, Yejin had suggested lunch, and I’d agreed, thinking it was better than eating alone.

Her playful tone seemed slightly hurt. I didn’t know what to say. Forgetting something from just a day ago is reason enough to be upset.

[I’m sorry…]

[Yejin: If you’re really sorry, eat lunch with me.]

[Okay.]

Yejin, seizing the opportunity, asked for what she wanted; I readily agreed. Lunch is no big deal. I would’ve eaten alone otherwise.

After finishing with Yejin, I looked around the classroom. Most students were napping; some, like me, were using their phones.

They must be bored… I was bored, which is why I’d taken out my phone. My eyes were hurting, so I put it away and stared blankly at the board.

I want chocolate. I touched the chocolate drink Jihyun had given me. Wait, did I thank her? I don’t remember; I probably didn’t.

I didn’t want to open my phone again; my eyes hurt, and it was bothersome. Just as I considered it, I saw a school introduction pamphlet.

It was handed out yesterday instead of class, briefly explaining the school. It was probably supplementary material to improve understanding. I’d been asleep all day.

I also received a mechanical pencil as a welcome gift; it was surprisingly high quality. I had everything I needed.

I carefully tore out the blank sections of the pamphlet. It tore neatly. I wrote “Thank you” with the pencil and folded it in half.

If I had better dexterity, I could have folded it more prettily; I settled for a simple fold. I prepared to give it to Jihyun.

I looked at Jihyun, who was using her phone impassively, with a nonchalant posture. I admired her brazenness.

She had a constant stern expression, but she seemed slightly gloomy. Was it my imagination? She seemed unhappy… I gently nudged her.

“? “

Students were seated with spaces in between, but Jihyun was next to me, close enough to touch. I nudged her gently, and she looked at me questioningly.

I held out the folded paper, mouthing each word slowly.

“Read this.”

Jihyun seemed to understand and took the paper, quietly unfolding it. I was worried she wouldn’t understand, but she did.

She looked at me after reading the message.

I mouthed “Thank you” again. I felt embarrassed and waved.

Jihyun’s face flushed crimson; she quickly looked away. I wondered if something was wrong, but her expression was less gloomy, almost contented.

That’s strange. Jihyun usually maintained a stoic expression. I didn’t understand her display of emotion. Was I interpreting it incorrectly? I couldn’t know without her telling me.

Whatever. I’d delivered my message; my task was done. I felt relieved.

My eyes grew heavy. Sleeping at school wasn’t restful, but unlike last time, when the old man pic haunted me, I felt I could sleep peacefully.

Yawning, I spoke to Jihyun, who was carefully watching me.

Sleep well.

“Jia, wake up!”

A voice roused me; Yejin was shaking my shoulder.

“Mmm. Yejin, class…?”

“You slept really well! You were out cold; someone could have kidnapped you! I called you five times before you woke up.”

What? If Yejin was telling the truth, I felt embarrassed. I looked around.

Jihyun’s seat was empty. She must have gone to lunch with her friends. Someone like Jihyun, with her looks and cool attitude, would have a group.

I’d seen her with four or five people when I was lost. It wasn’t surprising.

I turned to Yejin, who noticed my distraction, and her angry expression softened as she took my hand.

“Let’s go see the friend we’re having lunch with!”

“Now?”

“We need to head to the cafeteria soon; if we’re joining them, we need to go.”

Let’s go quickly. Yejin looked at me expectantly.

“Okay…”

Yejin’s excitement irritated me slightly, but I’d already agreed. She pulled me out the back door.

“Where are we going?”

“She’s waiting in front of class 6!”

I followed silently until we reached class 6. Yejin approached a woman standing there.

She had light brown, waist-length twintails. Like Yejin, she seemed incredibly popular.

Yejin pointed at the girl, speaking to me.

“She wanted to meet you.”

“Hi, I’m Ha Eunji. I wanted to meet you!”

Yejin introduced Eunji, and we exchanged introductions. As we talked, Eunji suddenly grabbed my hands, her eyes shining.

“Do you like the Yuri Gallery?”

“Jia, ignore her. Her hobby is trolling the Yuri Gallery. Don’t listen; ignore her.”

“What? Trolling is so fun!”

Was that you?