Chapter 42: Do I really need to prepare for the midterm exam?

I’ve been in a good mood lately.

It feels like everything is going smoothly.

Because I appointed additional assistant mods, my workload has drastically decreased.

Actually, this is what’s normal, and it was me who was taking on all the work until now.

The new assistant mods are working hard.

It’s touching to see them grumbling but still doing their jobs.

Kim Seoyoon: Save mesangshi.

Kim Seoyoon: Save me..

Kim Jia: Fighting!

Geez.

I don’t know why they’re making such a fuss.

It’s not like they’re working alone, they have three people, so why are they asking to be saved?

Still, they’re diligently doing what they need to do, so it’s not like I dislike them.

Ah, or maybe they’re whining, hoping I’ll acknowledge their hard work?

I laughed, imagining Seoyoon’s furious reaction if she heard that.

It feels like I’m being rewarded for my efforts so far.

I’m reminded of the meme of a frog holding a wine glass.

Yeah. After all this, it’s about time things started going well.

If I have any worries, it’s the awkwardness between the new assistant mods and the existing ones.

I’m starting to think we should have a ‘Let’s get along’ time or something.

We’ll be working together from now on, so we can’t stay awkward forever.

Or maybe it doesn’t matter since the existing assistant mods don’t do any work.

Still, it would be better if we got along, right?

I nodded, thinking about a real-life meetup for the mods.

I’m taking a break from the community and living my neglected real life.

Even though all I do is go to school.

But isn’t just diligently listening in class without dozing off praiseworthy?

If not, whatever.

Lately, I’ve been lying on my desk and sleeping a lot, so my back feels bent.

Self-consciously, I straightened my back and pushed my butt to the end of the chair, trying to sit up straight.

If I don’t do this, I might have to worry about a herniated disc.

I’ve never had one, but I’ve seen horrifying cases on the internet.

It’s definitely a terrible condition.

Sitting upright, I looked straight ahead at the blackboard.

This class was taught by our homeroom teacher.

Our petite homeroom teacher was jumping around in front of the blackboard, passionately teaching.

Her eyes were sparkling, and she seemed to be a similar type to Yejin.

How can she maintain that energy level?

As someone who was born a shut-in, I couldn’t understand it at all.

It felt like looking at a different species.

It was fascinating.

After blinking for a moment, I carefully took out my phone from my pocket.

So. What.

Honestly, it can’t be helped.

The class is just too boring. It’s separate from being energetic.

I could only sit still and watch the teacher for five minutes at most.

I think it’s amazing that I lasted even this long.

I made excuses in my head as I logged into the gallery.

As soon as I logged in, I saw a pointless post by an assistant mod.

<Punishment Time>

Author: NotATroll

(A cute rabbit shaking a carrot emoticon)

(Miku crying emoticon)

oo: Did someone put a knife to your throat and ask you to be an assistant mod?

NotATroll: The head mod did threaten me with a 30-day ban.

Ttururu: (A hmm… is that so? emoticon)

oo: Thanks to you, using the gallery is comfortable.

What are they writing instead of doing their work?

I left a comment out of spite.

Kim Jia: What are you doing instead of working?

NotATroll: But I was working hard just a moment ago…

They left a reply that seemed like an excuse, but I ignored it.

Since I wrote it as a joke, there’s a high chance they didn’t take it seriously.

…Judging by the continuous replies, maybe they did.

The misunderstanding will be cleared up with time. I decided to let it go, thinking that.

Looking at other posts… the Unemployed Lily Gallery is peaceful as always.

Even though it’s a weekday afternoon, there were a lot of new posts.

Before I knew it, I had completely forgotten about sitting up straight, and I was lying on my desk, just browsing.

Sometimes when I felt like writing a post, I’d log out and write one.

Time seemed to fly by while I was doing that.

For a moment, I wondered if it was okay to waste time like this, but what’s good is good.

Ring~!

I thought, listening to the unusually cheerful sound of the bell signaling the end of class.

“Jia! Let’s go change.”

As always, Yejin came over, wagging her tail.

Ah. It’s gym class next.

It’s my least favorite subject. I grimaced.

“Ugh….”

“Ahaha. Jia really hates gym class.”

“Isn’t it obvious from the way she uses her body?”

Jihyun, who had appeared out of nowhere, said in a crooked posture.

“She’s terrible at sports.”

“Haha… It’s true that Ji-ah is a bit like that.”

Wha-What.

How dare you touch a man’s pride.

Even Yejin, who was next to me, seemed to agree with Jihyun.

I was frustrated by how low my reputation had fallen.

Just wait. I’ll get my revenge later.

“She’s thinking something weird again.”

“Ahaha….”

Looks like I’ll be the one getting revenge.

Why do we have to change into our gym clothes in one place, anyway?

I’m sure we didn’t have to do this last time.

“The teacher said to come to the next class already changed into our gym clothes.”

“Huh?”

“Our Jia didn’t listen.”

Huh. Did she say that?

I didn’t know that.

I looked around awkwardly.

Something’s weird.

Wait a minute.

My turning head froze as if it had stopped working.

We have to change in front of everyone?

It’s a good thing everyone’s just starting to change, but I can’t imagine how awkward it would be if they were all naked.

Also, I’m not the type of person who likes to take off my clothes in front of others.

After a moment of Concern, I came to a conclusion.

Absolutely impossible.

It was good that everyone was just preparing to change, but I couldn’t imagine how awkward it would be if everyone was already undressed.

Also, I’m not the type of person who likes taking off my clothes in front of others.

I slowly moved, trying to sneak away unnoticed.

And then I was caught.

Thud-

“Eh….”

“Where are you going?”

I turned my head to look behind me.

I could almost hear a creaking sound.

It was Jihyun.

“Ah, I, um… Bathroom. I need to go to the bathroom…!”

“Class is about to start, change your clothes first.”

No. I’m fine.

I was sweating bullets.

“Jihyun’s right this time. You have to change first!”

To make matters worse, Yejin joined in.

I’m stuck changing here. But I don’t see a way out.

In the end, I closed my eyes tightly and nodded.

“We’re going to be late. Let’s hurry up and change.”

Saying that, Yejin started taking off her uniform first.

Whoa.

This really doesn’t feel right.

I didn’t know what to do with the display of flesh as clothes were removed.

“Ji-ah, aren’t you going to change?”

“I am… I’m going to change….”

I answered Yejin’s question weakly.

I have to change before gym class anyway. I steeled my heart.

Yeah. If I just close my eyes and take off my clothes…!

“Wow….”

“It’s really big.”

What’s big?

At those words, I felt my face instantly heating up. My head was spinning from embarrassment.

“C-Could you… stop looking?”

“Ah.”

I covered my chest with my arms and squirmed.

I didn’t even notice my classmates’ bodies, which I had been worried about.

Right now, I was too busy blocking the gazes directed at me.

“Ah, sorry… It was instinctive. I won’t look.”

You say you won’t look.

But your eyes keep coming this way.

That gaze, even when I covered myself, continued until I hurriedly put on my gym clothes.

“Okay, let’s hurry!”

“Huh? Oh, yeah.”

Maybe it was because I was dawdling, but Jihyun and Yejin were already changed.

Everyone else had already left, and only the two of them were waiting for me.

Grateful, I looked at Jihyun and Yejin, and they were subtly avoiding my gaze.

What is it.

Are they feeling guilty about seeing my body?

I had my doubts, but that wasn’t important right now.

Aren’t we going to be late?

With that worry in mind, I grabbed their hands and started walking.

“We’re going to be late…!”

“Let’s go.” Hurry!

Fortunately, they seemed to have quickly come to their senses.

We soon arrived at the gym.

“Safe!” Phew.

“Safe, my *ss.”

Ouch.

I felt a stinging sensation on the back of my head.

It was a light, playful touch, and I turned around to see the gym teacher.

“Hehe… Sorry.”

“Actually, you’re on time.”

Saying that, the teacher gathered the students.

What.

They didn’t seem like it, but they’re quite playful.

It was hard to tell because they were making jokes with an expressionless face.

“Why is that teacher hitting a kid?”

“What’s that guy’s deal.”

I was fine, but the two next to me were making a fuss. It felt like having growling puppies next to me.

Guys. That’s our teacher. Why are you so on guard?

Jihyun isn’t even calling him ‘teacher’ anymore.

I looked at them in bewilderment.

“…Guys. Let’s get in line.”

“Okay!”

Even though they were growling just a moment ago, they acted like nothing happened when I called them.

…Sometimes I don’t know what these guys are thinking.