Chapter 10: Medusa
A Bustling Classroom
“Take care getting home, everyone~”
“Okay~”
After securing the lottery tickets, several days passed, and Wednesday arrived.
As homeroom concluded, the classroom buzzed with energy.
While boys planned their PC bang outing, girls, meanwhile, chattered excitedly about hitting a cafĂŠ before cram school.
Amid this chaos, Joon slipped through, approaching Park Chaerin, who was laughing with friends.
“Hey, letâs go.”
“⌔
Instantly, as he spoke, the lively mood froze.
âSheâs gonna flip out againâŚâ
Despite her shin-kicking last time, Joon, undeterred, approached again, prompting everyone to hold their breath.
Consequently, they braced for a fiery clash, fully expecting Chaerinâs cold, sharp-tongued retort.
Surprisingly, however, her response was unexpected.
“Iâll tell you when Iâm ready, so just wait.”
“Alright. Iâll be in the library, so meet me there.”
“âŚ?”
Her calm exchange stunned her friends, triggering collective disbelief.
Although they anticipated her anger, their casual conversation, as if routine, baffled everyone.
Perhaps, since he didnât provoke her today and approached quietly, it explained her restraint.
Friendsâ Curiosity Ignites
Nevertheless, one friend couldnât resist, blurting out, “Why are you going together? And why are you okay with it?!”
Based on their exchange, they were clearly walking home together.
Yet, recalling last weekâs classroom drama, it made no sense.
In fact, theyâd been walking home daily, but since they were cleaning partners, no one had noticed until now.
Therefore, when friends gasped in shock, Chaerin, visibly annoyed, brushed it off.
“Itâs no big deal.”
Still, her nonchalant reply only fueled their curiosity.
After all, which high school girl would let such a moment pass?
Moreover, since Chaerin had shown zero interest in boys since middle school, their fascination was inevitable.
“No big deal? Are you two dating? Youâre totally dating, right?”
“Weâre not dating, so quiet down already.”
Because Joon had just left, she worried he might overhear.
As she glared at her loud friend, who glanced toward Joonâs exit, the friend whispered.
“Then why walk home together?”
“âŚThereâs a reason.”
She hesitated, unable to voice it, as it felt too absurd even to her.
“Come on, whatâs the reason~”
“⌔
“Heâs gone, so just tell us.”
As her friends pestered relentlessly, she wavered, wondering if she should share.
ââŚShould I ask them?â
Since she rarely interacted with guys, she questioned if she was misreading Joonâs intentions.
Perhaps her friends could decode his motives, so she cautiously began.
“Okay, fine⌔
She recounted everythingâthe initial call-out, cleaning together after school.
As she detailed every moment, her friends responded in unison.
“He likes you.”
“Right? Iâm not just imagining it, am I?”
Initially doubting herself, Chaerin felt relieved, realizing others shared her view.
A Newfound Confidence
Observing her relax, a friend beside her added, “Chaerin, no one asks to walk home together unless they like you.”
“Exactly! But he keeps denying it!”
Finally connecting with people who understood, she felt refreshed.
âYeah, it doesnât add up otherwise.â
Realizing her first misstep wasnât a mistake, her lingering shame dissolved.
âUgh⌠that jerkâs been confusing me.â
With doubts cleared and certainty settling in, Chaerin felt at ease.
However, her friendsâ questions deepened.
“But you must like him too, right?”
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
Just when they seemed sensible, her friend spouted absurdity again.
Confidently, the friend pressed on.
“If you didnât like him, youâd have shut him down, like always.”
“âŚI was just caught off guard and told him to do whatever.”
“Then why agree to walk home today?”
Bullseye.
She was struck right in the core.
Admittedly, from an outsiderâs view, it resembled a cheesy rom-com plot.
Yet, as the protagonist, she struggled to judge objectively.
“W-Well⌠I just felt bad for him⌔
“HmmâŚ?”
Her voice faded, as she grappled to explain actions she didnât fully grasp.
Friendsâ Knowing Smiles
As everyone noticed her struggle, it became obvious.
âSheâs definitely interested.â
A girl whoâd always been an iron wall with boys, walking home with one out of pity?
âWhoâd believe that, Chaerin?â
Nevertheless, they stayed silent, exchanging knowing smiles.
“What? Why are you staring?!”
“Nothing⌠Weâre heading out, so enjoy your cozy walk~”
“Itâs not like that!”
Her friends left, their playful grins revealing their thoughts.
“Those crazy girls⌔
She wanted to chase them and argue, but exhaustion overwhelmed her.
âItâs all that jerkâs fault.â
Because of him, everyone was misinterpreting her.
Although her opinion of him had softened since their first encounter, it wasnât romantic.
In fact, never having felt romantic feelings, she couldnât even gauge them.
ââŚâ
Still, this wasnât love.
Everyone described love as sweet, blissful, a mind full of flowers.
Yet, thinking of him only sparked irritation.
âHeâs so full of himself, and I canât read him at all.â
Indeed, it was just pity.
How could she not feel sorry for someone so desperate to hang out?
âItâs no big deal.â
Sheâd treat it like charity.
Heâd said heâd never been interested in girls before.
âTall, but nothing else going for him, with sky-high standardsâŚâ
Somewhat smugly, she thought his interest in her doomed his love life.
Thus, for a pitiful classmate, sheâd generously allow a walk home.
Sorting her tangled emotions, she stood up.
“But why the library, of all places?”
Sheâd rarely seen him read.
âProbably just a comfy spot.â
Without dwelling, she grabbed her bag and headed to the library.
Bonding in the Library
“So, that authorâs books always give me a biased vibe.”
“And that bias always hits the mark.”
“Hehe, right?”
Recently, Hayan had been visiting the library more frequently.
Initially, she came to dodge the summer heat and enjoy the AC.
However, after helping out last time, she started coming regularly, bonding with the class president over books.
While laughing mid-conversation, she suddenly asked curiously.
“Now that I think about it, this is your first time here after school?”
“Just waiting for someone.”
“Oh? A teacher?”
Normally, she mightâve assumed a friend, but since Joon didnât hang out after school, she guessed a teacher.
Yet, his reply shattered her assumption.
“Nah, Park Chaerinâs meeting me here.”
“Really? I thought it was a teacher⌠Chaerin?”
Surprised, she double-checked, thinking sheâd misheard.
But his answer stood firm.
“Yeah, weâve got something going on.”
“⌔
A Stir of Unease
Upon hearing Chaerinâs name, Hayan recalled last weekâs classroom uproar.
âChaerin has plans with Joon?â
Calling him out publicly, kicking his shin in the morning.
And now, they had plans?
âIs she into⌠unique types?â
Not his looksâshe meant his personality.
Though tall and decent-looking, his school persona wasnât exactly charming.
âMaybe she knows the real him.â
At school, he seemed reckless, a troublemaker.
In reality, however, he worked tirelessly to support his struggling family.
Knowing that, anyone might develop a soft spot.
âRight, someone else besides me could know his secretâŚâ
Her bright, smiling face gradually hardened.
For some reason, her sparkling eyes dimmed slightly.
“⌔
Subtly, a pang of unease hit, so faint she barely noticed.
ââŚWhy do I feel like this?â
Noticing her silence and darkening expression, Joon asked.
“Whatâs wrong? You okay?”
“Huh? Oh, no, Iâm fine.”
As he spoke, her bright smile instantly returned.
Continuing naturally, she teased.
“Are you two dating?”
“No, itâs not like I like her. Just some business.”
“What kind?”
“Itâs her private matter, so I canât say.”
He was holding back.
Despite their recent closeness, his secrecy stung a little.
Still, knowing it might trouble him, she forced a laugh and teased.
“Ugh, you donât have to hide it that much~”
“Iâm serious, I donât like her!”
“Okay, okay~”
A Tense Confrontation
Her playful disbelief frustrated Joon, who spoke firmly.
“Thereâs no reason for me to like her. We havenât even known each other long.”
“Really?”
Perhaps fed up with the teasing, his emotions burst out.
“Plus, she curses like crazy and glares with those Medusa eyes.”
“Medusa?”
“Yeah, like youâd turn to stone under that stare.”
“Hmm, I see.”
âŚWas Hayanâs voice always this chilling?
More importantly, why was it coming from behind him?
Since Hayan hadnât moved her lips in front of himâŚ
With a sinking feeling, Joon turned around.
As expected, there she was.
“So Iâm a cursing Medusa, huh?”
“Uh⌠uh⌠uh⌔
Park Chaerin glared, her eyes ready to shatter him.