Chapter 124: School Reopening, Return to School 3
Seo Juhwan looked back at his past thoughts while gazing toward Jeong Ha-yeon. Then their eyes met. She opened her eyes wide in surprise, then quickly turned her head away with an uncomfortable expression. In that distorted face, he felt something familiar.
The expression he'd read multiple times from people before his return. It was a sign she didn't want to be involved.
'Why is she acting like that?'
Puzzled by her strange behavior, Seo Juhwan tilted his head. They hadn't even exchanged a single word, yet she was making such an expression. It didn't match the Jeong Ha-yeon he knew.
'I wanted to become close with her this time.'
He had a debt of gratitude toward Jeong Ha-yeon. Or more precisely, it was gratitude rather than a debt. During difficult times when he was struggling with an unwanted class leader position, he'd received help from her multiple times.
They were just a few words, and the favor probably came from sympathy. But to someone struggling with misfortune and trauma back then, it was quite an intense memory.
'This time, the temporary class leader position changed.'
That was because he didn't attend the entrance ceremony.
Originally, Seo Juhwan had been assigned as the temporary class leader at the entrance ceremony because he had the highest class year, pointed out by a teaching assistant. He ended up doing the official class leader duties and suffered through it. In the second semester, Jeong Ha-yeon volunteered as class leader, allowing him to step down. Normally, the class leader position was held for a year, but thanks to Jeong Ha-yeon, he got to set down the burden early. He remembered how grateful he was for that, and the memory remained fresh even as nearly ten years had passed.
'It seemed like she volunteered because of me.'
He'd even separately asked out of guilt. Did she volunteer as class leader because of him? The answer came back that it wasn't like that, so he shouldn't worry.
While lost in thought, a frivolous voice came from beside him. It was Lee Seok-chan's grumbling.
"Ugh. Who the hell invented these integrated desk-chairs?"
"Pufh."
"You're laughing? Hey, this isn't funny. It means we have to use this thing for the next four years. Dammit."
Lee Seok-chan spoke in an exaggerated tone like he was performing a play. Seo Juhwan let out a laugh at his antics, but inwardly agreed with his words. Integrated desk-chairs were genuinely inconvenient. If he could see whoever developed and implemented them, he'd grab them by the collar and shake them vigorously.
Lee Seok-chan nudged him with his elbow and said.
"Hey, Juhwan. How about billiards after class today?"
"Call me hyung."
"…Are you serious about that?"
"Pufhuh. Just joking."
He'd planned to get along like friends anyway. He didn't particularly want to hear the word hyung.
"I've never played billiards before."
"What, really?"
Lee Seok-chan blinked in surprise.
"Is that strange?"
"No, it's not strange. Lots of people haven't played billiards. But I thought you'd have played a lot."
"Why?"
"I thought you were someone who'd do stuff with me in clubs."
He wasn't talking about the department, obviously. When he asked what that meant, the answer was ridiculous.
"You're the type who'd throw tissue paper and play in clubs?"
"You do that?"
"Yeah. It's fucking fun. Wanna try later?"
"…Sure."
He was curious how they actually played.
While exchanging trivial talk, the professor entered.
A bald professor who looked to be in his sixties. Surprisingly, he was in his late forties and was currently the department chair of Publishing Content Studies.
The bald professor pushed up his glasses and spoke.
"Hehe. Being the first day, everyone's quiet, I see. I wish it would stay like this."
Wouldn't that be all professors' wish? Currently, the lecture hall was filled with heavy silence except for him and Lee Seok-chan. But this silence wouldn't last long either. Once they got closer, it would become louder than a marketplace whether the professor was there or not.
The professor began calling roll. Electronic attendance hadn't been adopted for long, so many professors still called out names.
"Everyone's here. Hmm, since it's the first day, how about self-introductions?"
"Aww~."
Quite a few voices of reluctance rang out. Lee Seok-chan also had an annoyed face, as if questioning why self-introductions were necessary.
"If you don't want to, then we'll just have class."
"I'll go first! I really want to become close with my classmates through this!"
As soon as the professor finished speaking, Lee Seok-chan jumped up and shouted. Now that he thought about it, this guy really hated studying. Throughout his previous life, he'd never seen this guy actually studying.
- Puhaha!
The students burst out laughing at Lee Seok-chan's action. The professor spoke with a smile at the lively atmosphere.
"We have a spirited student. Are you the class leader?"
"No! The class leader is over there!"
Lee Seok-chan pointed to one side. The professor and students' attention focused in that direction.
Seo Juhwan followed their gaze as well, and Jeong Ha-yeon looked very uncomfortable.
"You're the class leader? What's your name?"
"It's Jeong Ha-yeon, professor. And I'm… not the class leader, but the temporary class leader."
"Temporary?"
"Yes. It just happened that way…."
"I see. Then you'll introduce yourselves in roll order. Let's see. Student Seo Juhwan?"
"Yes?"
Seo Juhwan answered with a confused voice. He was number four by class year.
"You're first, hmm? You're returning…"
"P-Professor! Can I introduce myself from my seat? Or do I need to stand?"
"Ah. Just stand there and introduce yourself."
Seo Juhwan inwardly sighed in relief. His number was definitely four, but as an early-admitted returning student with a high class year, he was positioned at the front of the attendance sheet.
'I almost got caught as a fossil right away.'
It would be revealed anyway, but he thought he'd delay it as much as possible. He was already three years older than the freshman, and being the only one with a higher class year too? It seemed like an obstacle to becoming close.
Lee Seok-chan said curiously.
"I'm number one, though…?"
"Shh. I'll explain later."
Seo Juhwan gave Lee Seok-chan a look and scanned the lecture hall. Everyone was looking at him. He didn't know why it felt so nervous introducing himself. It felt like his old loner tendencies, dormant for a long time, were emerging.
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