Chapter 113
Chapter 113
[Athletic events (2) ].
The morning has ended.
Even though Eunha was missing, Class 3, put in their effort with Minji at the center.
As a result, the gap between the blue and white teams had widened even more, and the Class 3 was in first place in the entire grade.
See, youre good without me.
Are you running away in the afternoon again?
Minji rolled her eyes at Eunha.
It was lunchtime. The class had scattered to find their families.
Eunha and Minji were headed in the same direction.
To be precise, this year, Eunha and Minji were going to eat lunch with the families of other children, including their own.
So they couldnt have a big fight in front of their parents.
Eunha meekly replied that he understood and found a place where his family would be waiting.
Ah!
Oh! Watch out!
It didnt take long to find them.
Before I knew it, Eunae was running toward me with her arms wide open.
Oh, I hope she doesnt fall.
Eunha couldnt help but feel anxious as he watched Eunae run.
The ground was uneven. If she fell wrong, she could burn her skin.
Huh?
I wonder if its different.
Eunae, who was running straight ahead, tripped over a stone and tilted her body forward.
Even as she fell, she didnt seem to realize what had happened.
Thousand steps
If Eunha hadnt closed the remaining distance and hugged her, she would have fallen to the ground.
Just seeing Eunae burst into tears would have torn Eunhas heart apart.
Oppa, I got you!
No Eunae, didnt your Oppa tell you to run carefully? You would have fallen.
Hehe, I dont know~
Eunae nodded her head affectionately in Eunhas arms.
I couldnt be angry anymore.
Eunae was too adorable.
Ugh, siscon. Cant you at least favor us a bit?
Hey, its not like we find you guys attractive.
Eunha snapped at them as they slowly walked over.
Minji had a dumbfounded look on her face, and the others had a knowing look on their faces.
Kids, dont stay there, come here. Ive prepared a lot of delicious food for you today.
Mom called them over.
Beside her, Minji, Eunhyuk, and Hayangs mothers were preparing food and drinks.
Dad didnt come today.
He had hoped to attend the Eunhas Athletic events every year, but lately he had been overwhelmed with work. More than once he had come home late at night, exhausted, and fallen asleep in the bathroom.
So did the other childrens fathers.
Euna didnt come either. As a student at the Secundary Player Academy, she couldnt skip class.
Thats why his mom suggested that they have lunch together this year.
Min-ji, you did really well today. Youre the class president!
Of course I am! Im so good when I put my mind to it!
Minji puffed out her chest as she ate her meatballs.
Even as she answered her mothers question, she took care of Seona and Hayang.
Eunae made these!
Oh, you made this, Eunae? Its delicious. But who is this?
Oh! Its me!
Eunae held out her lunchbox, which contained nothing but egg rolls.
On top of the egg roll, someones face was smeared with ketchup.
Judging by the way his mother smiled quietly behind her, Eunae had insisted that she be included in the cooking.
Its delicious.
Isnt it~?
Eunha, try this one too. Here, ah~
Ah~ Mmm, the best.
Eunha ate the side dishes his mother held out to him with chopsticks like a baby bird.
Eunhyuk saw that,
Mom, me too, ah~
Are you a baby bird?
At the same time, Eunhyuks mother pushed a large piece of yubu sushi into Eunhyuks mouth.
Eunhyuk couldnt speak for a while as he tried to finish the sushi that didnt even fit in his mouth.
Did you hurt yourself anywhere?
Nah, Im fine. Unma.
Hayang, whats that sound?
On one side of the room, Min Su-jin, Hayang, and Seona were sharing the lunch box that Jung Seok-hoon had prepared.
Even though Su-jin had married Jung Seok-hoon, she remained unpretentious.
Although Alice Group chairman Min Jun-sik had offered to give her the mansion she had lived in before, Su-jin and Jung Seok-hoon had moved to a small house nearby to spend their honeymoon because she didnt want to leave Happiness.
Thats right. Whats with the unma sound?
Min Su-jin has become a stepmother to Hayang.
It was still awkward for Hayang to call her mom.
Its fine to call me unma too. It seems special.
Ill Ill work hard to call you quickly! Unni!
Hayang, you got it wrong again.
Ah!
The three of them, including Seona, looked united.
Eunha looked at the giggling Su-jin and Hayang and hoped that they would get along like this.
Im going to the restroom!
Do you want me to come with you?
No, its okay.
Hayang stood up and put on her shoes.
She pushed down her blue hat and climbed the stairs to the classroom.
At the restroom on the first floor, people were lined up and waiting.
Too many.
It was the same on the second floor.
In the end, she had to go up to the third floor, where her class was located, to use the restroom.
She was going to be late.
Lunch was almost over.
Checking the time on her wristwatch, she quickly washed her hands and headed back to Sujin.
Oh.
Huh?
She bumped into Jin-sena, who was washing her hands at the sink.
Sena looked at her reflection in the mirror and was surprised.
There was silence.
Hayang and Sena had never spoken to each other before.
After her second year, she had no contact with Sena anymore.
It was no exaggeration to say that they hadnt seen each other in over a year.
However, it wasnt as if Hayang felt particularly happy about it.
After quickly fixing her face, Hayang turned on the sink next to Senas.
Hello?
Yes, hello.
It was Sena who greeted her first.
Hayang, who hadnt expected to be greeted, stammered a reply.
But what are you wearing?
What?
Sena stepped back and squinted her eyes, scanning Hayangs clothes from top to bottom.
She was wearing a pure white T-shirt and stretchy blue shorts.
Youre covered in dirt.
Its from my fall earlier.
Well, even if it wasnt, it would still look ugly.
Hayang remained silent.
In the mirror, Sena crossed her arms, a mocking smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
Hey, I hear your dad has remarried, and the rumors are flying around in the business world.
And thats all youre wearing?
Well, I suppose a man born in poverty cant go anywhere.
You and your dad are going to ruin Alice Groups image.
As Sena spoke, the children outside the restroom giggled and chimed in.
Sena had lost her power among the children around this time last year, but she hadnt completely lost her clique. The children of those who worked at KK Pharmaceuticals hadnt left her.
Hayang, on the other hand, was alone.
Why are there so many people in front of the restroom?
The girls lined up, waiting for their turn to use the restroom.
Eunha clicked his tongue upon seeing this.
As a man, he rarely waited in line for the restroom, so it was very unfamiliar to see the line stretching around the corner of the hallway.
Even with the regression, he wasnt used to it.
Huh? Doggy, what are you doing here?
Im not a doggy.
Restrooms werent just in the classrooms.
The restrooms in the back of the cafeteria were less long.
But instead of standing in the line for the restroom, Seona wandered down the path leading to the courtyard until he called out to her.
Youre the reason the other kids call me doggy.
Jin seona pouted her lips.
Her triangular ears perked up and her tail stood straight up to express her feelings.
But in Eunhas eyes, all he saw was the whimpering of a puppy who hadnt even grown up.
Why, whats wrong with a doggy, its better than glutton.
If you hadnt called me doggy, Id never have been called that, and Im not a glutton like Minji.
So you admit shes a glutton.
Its a mistake, you kept calling her that and I got confused.
Yeah, next one in.
Do you want to get in trouble?
Seona glared at him.
Eunha shrugged it off and poked his head into the courtyard shed been staring at.
But what are you looking at
I decide my own affairs, and its none of your business who I hang out with!
Minji, thats not it, listen to what your mom has to say.
On the courtyard, Minji and Minjis mother were arguing.
Minjis face was flushed with anger, while her mother was trying to console her with gentle words.
You can be friends with Eunha and Eunhyuk. You can be even closer to Hayang than you are now.
But I want you to keep your distance from Seona, Min-ji.
Why are you telling me how to get along with my friends!
Ah.
Eunha stiffened at the scene.
He quickly turned around to look at Seona.
Seona couldnt hide her bitter smile, but her demeanor was somewhat nonchalant.
Im fine.
What was fine, Eunha didnt know.
But there was nothing he could do about it.
It was Minjis business.
He knew better than to interfere in her domestic affairs.
Meanwhile, their argument continued.
Listen, dont let anyone overhear. Im not telling you not to be friendly with Seona. Im saying you should keep a distance.
Thats what youre saying.
Minji.
What.
Mom said it clearly. Dont get too close to Seona. Do you know how much Mom has endured until now?
Mom. Why is it that other kids can hang out with Seona and their parents dont say anything, but you do?
Minjis mother glared at her.
Minji glared back, unwilling to lose.
I know shes not a bad girl.
But why!
Shes an Ain, and you dont know how badly other people think of Ain.
What are you going to do if they see you hanging out with her?
Why should I care about other people? My business is my business!
Your business is your business. But youre my daughter, and I cant stand seeing you involved with an Ain.
Minji shut her mouth.
Her mother bent to her knees and comforted her, unable to speak properly and sobbing uncontrollably.
Even then, Seona was listening to them. Her tail flicked gently, and she looked up at the sky in wonder.
What about you, Eunha?
What?
Do you say anything at home?
Do you think I would say something like that at home?
Well.
Seona let out an awkward laugh.
She stood up on her sneakers, tapping the ground with her toes.
Im fine, Ive always known that. Theres no way a girl like me could ever have friends.
Then what are we?
I mean, thats why Im so grateful to you guys. Thank you, and Im so sorry.
If youre sorry, then treat us better, Doggy.
I told you, Im not a doggy.
Eunha didnt say anything more.
Seona leaned back against the wall and stared at the mountains beyond.
But she is still my friend.
From behind, Minji said in a tearful tone, unyielding in her determination.
The other girls moms said so. They say you cant play with other kids because youre hanging out with her.
Are you okay with that?
I am.
Youre lying. Since Eunha and the girls are playing with Seona, arent you following suit?
No!
Kim Minji, stop crying, stop yelling, and look at your mom. Are you sure? Theyre playing with Seona, so you cant help but play with them?
Whats wrong with you, Mom? Why dont you believe me?
Because I can see it.
An argument that only goes in parallel lines, with neither party trying to find an agreement.
It was her mother who sighed first.
Fine. Then figure things out on your own. Dont regret not listening to your mom later.
I wont regret it.
Stubbornness runs in the family
The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.
He could feel two of them leaving the courtyard.
Eunha tapped Seona on the shoulder as she stared blankly up at the mountain.
Doggy, lets go.
Why do you keep calling me a doggy?
Oh, I dont know. Lets go before we get caught.
Shouldnt you say anything to Minji?
What would I say to her?
Or her mother.
I wont, why would I.
If you dont, thats probably better. Eunha, you sometimes do ridiculous things, so thats why.
Ugh.
Eunha and Seona ran, manifesting mana to avoid being spotted by Minji.
Seona, keeping up with Eunhas pace, wagged her tail as if she had no choice.
Eunha.
What
Lets get first place today. Lets make Minji feel better.
Okay.
Thats how the afternoon began.