NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8
“If you think you can get along with me again, go ahead.”
The classroom door creaked open as I entered.
The kids who had been animatedly sharing their vacation stories suddenly fell silent.
Of course, it was all because of Chae Ah and Hyun Woo.
With their arms and legs in casts, not to mention holding hands, the sight of a boy and girl their age couldn’t help but attract attention.
“…”
Everyone looked restless. While Hyun Woo might have been unknown to most, Chae Ah had been friendly with many classmates before her accident.
However…
Thanks to the teacher’s prior warning, no one approached us immediately after we entered.
“Where should we sit?”
“Just a moment.”
Since it was the opening ceremony today, there were no assigned seats yet. As I glanced around for an empty spot—
“Hey, we’ve saved a seat back here!”
Eun Bi, sitting just in front of the last row by the window, waved at us.
I wasn’t sure if she deliberately left the back row empty, but at least from this position, we wouldn’t be drawing too much attention during class.
Hyun Woo slightly bowed his head as he led Chae Ah over.
“Thanks.”
“You owe me a drink.”
“What?”
“I said let’s buy snacks at the cafeteria later.”
“That was supposed to be drinks.”
“Then throw in some bread too.”
“Alright, alright.”
After receiving such consideration, buying snacks seemed like the least we could do.
“Here, take a seat.”
“Thank you.”
Hyun Woo pulled out the chair for Chae Ah before sitting beside her.
Eun Bi turned around and spoke.
“What did the teacher say?”
“He just asked us to look out for each other.”
“Is that all?”
“Yeah.”
Hyun Woo casually replied, causing Eun Bi to lower her voice and wear a serious expression.
“…Is Chae Ah’s condition really bad?”
“Why are you asking this now?”
“Well, didn’t she skip the entire opening ceremony without getting any demerits?”
“It seems like they decided to overlook it this time.”
“Sigh…”
“What are you two talking about?”
As Hyun Woo whispered quietly in response to Eun Bi’s tone, Chae Ah suddenly popped her face between them.
Eun Bi and Hyun Woo jumped in surprise but quickly recovered.
“Nothing, really.”
“We were just asking if you’re okay.”
Pretending nothing was amiss, they continued their conversation with Chae Ah.
“Why do you need to whisper so quietly?”
“To avoid making others uncomfortable.”
“Oh, um…”
Chae Ah, perhaps realizing something she hadn’t considered, glanced around and nodded.
“It would probably make people uncomfortable.”
“See?”
“But why isn’t the teacher coming in yet…?”
Cue the sound of the door opening.
“Ah, Hyun Woo, you mentioned something, right?”
“Is this my fault?”
“Don’t you bear some responsibility, Hyun Woo?”
Perhaps old memories of friendship resurfaced, as Chae Ah chuckled softly while joining forces with Eun Bi to tease Hyun Woo.
“Alright, does anyone here not recognize me? Except for those who always fall asleep during math class.”
Before Hyun Woo could respond, the teacher abruptly began the lesson.
“Let me write this down once for those who don’t know; if you forget, next time you’ll have to solve 100 math problems.”
Tap, Tap.
As the teacher wrote on the board, Chae Ah whispered from the side.
“I was wondering if I should ask, but thank goodness.”
“Even if you did, they wouldn’t make you solve 100 math problems. That teacher isn’t that cruel. They do care about us, especially since our grades are good.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Because we excel academically.”
“Oh…”
Eun Bi, catching the drift, shot a glare at Hyun Woo from behind.
“Stop being annoying back there, Do Hyun Woo.”
“Were you worse at studying than us, Eun Bi?”
“Um, yes, quite a bit.”
“These guys…”
They spent the time teasing Eun Bi quietly.
Today was the first day back after break, so classes were shortened.
“We’re now third-year students, right? Some of you talk about preparing for college entrance exams, but please perfect your textbook problems first. Alright?”
With those final words after the orientation, the class ended.
Ding-dong-dang-dong.
After the bell rang and the teacher left,
“Ugh! Why even bother coming to school if this is what we’re doing?”
Eun Bi stretched and turned around.
Normally, model student Hyun Woo would have responded with “There must be a reason,” but instead,
“Exactly.”
The absurd schedule of twenty-minute lessons followed by ten-minute breaks was hard to accept.
‘Either hold the opening ceremony or conduct regular classes.’
Though this had happened during the first and second years too, bringing Chae Ah here felt unnecessarily troublesome.
Thus, the meaningless OT period passed, leading into lunchtime.
“Chae Ah, can I eat with you guys?”
As if waiting for this moment, Eun Bi sprang up from her seat and tapped Chae Ah’s desk.
“Sure, let’s.”
In contrast to earlier when she pushed Eun Bi away, Chae Ah now nodded without hesitation.
Hyun Woo looked surprised at Chae Ah’s reaction.
“Are you okay with this?”
“Hmm… I think I’m fine.”
Until now, everyone except Hyun Woo had felt intimidating to her. Even Eun Bi this morning had been scary. But now, for some reason, she felt comfortable. Perhaps it was the faint sense of familiarity during math class when they teased each other…
‘Maybe because we used to be best friends?’
Without remembering how they became close, Chae Ah instinctively trusted Eun Bi.
-“Let me tell you, Chae Ah. To win a man’s heart, especially someone like Do Hyun Woo…”
-“Wait, aren’t you also a nerd?”
-“…Geez!”
A funny memory seemed to stir somewhere in the distance.
“You seem kind of similar to me.”
“Why are you suddenly cursing me, Chae Ah?”
“That’s what I was going to say.”
Eun Bi and Hyun Woo exchanged glances and frowned at being compared.
Watching them, Chae Ah smiled playfully and gently shook her still interlocked hands.
“I’m hungry, Hyun Woo.”
“Let’s go to the cafeteria then.”
“Really? They’re serving sweet and spicy cod fillets today.”
“Let’s go to the snack shop instead.”
Hyun Woo smoothly redirected their destination upon hearing Eun Bi’s suggestion.
“Anyway, I have to buy for Eun Bi too.”
“Yay! Free food from Do Hyun Woo.”
“There’s your favorite bread too, so let’s check it out.”
“Alright!”
Hyun Woo and Eun Bi slowed their pace to match Chae Ah’s as they made their way to the snack shop.
* * *
“Phew… I’m not a delivery service, you know. Is it right to bring three people’s orders to me alone?”
After leaving the snack shop, Eun Bi grumbled while distributing the food and drinks.
“The snack shop was crowded. What if something happens to Chae Ah if we push through?”
“Tsk. Chae Ah isn’t a toddler.”
“Yeah, I’m completely fine.”
“Not at all.”
While worrying about Chae Ah’s cast-covered body was valid, the real concern was if she suddenly complained of a headache.
If she asked to be held amidst a crowd, what would they do?
And if she says her head hurts, they’d have no choice but to hold her, which might cause a scene in a crowded area…
‘Why am I imagining such specific scenarios when we’re not even going inside?’
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Hyun Woo poked the straw into his drink and said,
“Besides, I paid for everything, and I told you to keep the change.”
“Of course, no complaints there. Hehe.”
Eun Bi grinned slyly as she bit into the hamburger bought with Hyun Woo’s money.
Hyun Woo chuckled at her antics and peeled off the wrapper of the bread placed in front of Chae Ah.
“Try this. It’s your favorite cream-filled bread.”
Upon taking a bite, Chae Ah perked up in a way she hadn’t shown recently.
Hyun Woo couldn’t fully interpret it, but it likely meant, “It’s delicious.”
After finishing their snacks and drinks,
“Chae Ah.”
Eun Bi called out while finishing her last sip.
“Hm? What?”
“Just checking… Does talking to me give you headaches?”
Upon hearing this cautious question, a smile appeared on Chae Ah’s lips.
Despite pretending otherwise earlier, she now noticed Eun Bi’s genuine concern for her wellbeing.
This reminded her of Hyun Woo’s nature.
“Nope. You’re fine.”
“Good. Then I can keep talking to you, right?”
“It’s not like petting a kitten. Why are you being so careful?”
After Hyun Woo scolded her from the side,
Eun Bi glared at him.
“You wouldn’t understand because you didn’t feel the emotion this morning. She was like a real kitten when you pushed her hand away earlier.”
“…Me?”
“Yes, you. Did you know how shocked she was?”
“Hmm, sorry.”
“You should have contacted me if anything happened. Though, I guess losing her memory makes it unavoidable…”
Apparently, it was a deep wound for Eun Bi, who suddenly spilled her thoughts but then,
“…Sorry. That wasn’t what I wanted to say.”
She cooled herself down after apologizing.
Chae Ah, listening calmly, blinked.
“Then?”
“Huh?”
“What did you want to say?”
“Eh, well…”
Eun Bi suddenly froze, unable to continue. Her expression resembled someone confused by a cat they never cared about suddenly rubbing against them.
Finally, she managed to utter,
“I want to be friends with you again.”
Despite her usual image, the content was surprisingly cute.
“You might not remember, but during our first year, when I was alone, you were the one who approached me first.”
Though only two years had passed, Chae Ah was the most precious friend in Eun Bi’s life—a straightforward and transparent companion free of pretense.
“So this time, I’ll help you recover your memories.”
Blushing slightly despite her embarrassment, Eun Bi shook her head.
“No, honestly, even if you don’t find your memories, it doesn’t matter. I believe we can become friends again.”
Upon hearing this bold declaration, Chae Ah expressed admiration.
“Oh…”
“What’s with that reaction?”
“Just… you’re cool.”
“Huh…?”
Caught off guard by the unexpected compliment, Eun Bi’s face turned bright red.
‘Is this why I became friends with her?’
Chae Ah internally thought how adorable Eun Bi was while extending her hand.
“Nice to meet you, Eun Bi. From now on, you’ll be my first friend.”
“…First friend?”
“Yes. Since I forgot everything, technically, you’re my first friend.”
As Eun Bi hesitated, tilting her head while preparing to shake hands,
“Wait. What about Do Hyun Woo?”
“Childhood friend.”
“What makes him different?”
“Hmm, he’s a little more special and precious.”
“Ahem…”
Even without recovering her memories, it seemed like they were gradually rebuilding their original relationships.
“Say that in front of the person concerned.”
Hyun Woo, overhearing the comment, flushed awkwardly.
While Chae Ah innocently questioned what was wrong, Hyun Woo subtly avoided eye contact.
Observing them alternately, Eun Bi then leaned closer.
“Quick, lend me your ear.”
“What for?”
“Hurry.”
Standing up from her chair, Eun Bi whispered into Chae Ah’s ear,
“I don’t know how much you’ve forgotten, but this time, I’ll help you and Hyun Woo get together.”
“Eh, ehh?”
Completely caught off guard by the unexpected statement, Chae Ah jumped back in shock.
“What’s wrong? Did you just curse me?”
Seeing Chae Ah’s strange reaction,
Hyun Woo suspected Eun Bi.
“Would I do that?”
Eun Bi, feigning innocence, gave Chae Ah a meaningful glance filled with determination.
‘Don’t dare say you don’t like him. Even you wouldn’t escape a beating. Watching this situation unfold is frustrating enough.’