Chapter 51 (1/2)

As Myohan took Yuja’s hand to get up, he could see it was all part of O Shin’s plan. The room was empty and all the teachers and students had left the building for lunch. Now he was all alone with Yuja. In other words, he now had a chance to find out if he was the rooster or not.

He stretched his back as slowly as he could. Yuja scolded him and said he was late for lunch too because of him, but Myohan didn’t care as long as their classmates were not waiting for them.

“Yuja.”

“What?”

“You didn’t come to last year’s school trip, did you?”

Instead of saying yes, Yuja frowned and nodded. Walking with his hands in his pocket, Myohan asked again, “But why did you come this time?”

Asking why he had stayed behind last year was meaningless — Yuja could just say he had his reasons and move on. Yuja snorted.

“Shouldn’t you be asking why I skipped last year’s trip?”

Myohan shrugged. Yuja was sharp.

“I’m the class president, that’s why I’m here.”

Thankfully, Yuja didn’t get more suspicious. He just said that and let out another heavy sigh.

“Chookjae’s not here, so at least I should be here.”

“So you take your responsibility seriously.”

“Of course I do.”

He wasn’t saying he had just come like the others. He had come because he had no choice as Chookjae wasn’t coming and he had his responsibilities. It meant he had planned not to come originally. Instead of asking why he had been reluctant to come, he asked in a slightly different way.

“Chookjae really wanted to be on this trip.”

“He’s like a little boy that way, he likes events.”

“You don’t like events like this?”

“You’re not exactly a fan of events, either.”

Myohan had been so neglectful during the festival and did his least best at the sports competition, so Yuja found the question to be wrong. Myohan had to admit that point, so he just shrugged. Yuja looked at him, thinking he was being strange, and then he started to walk faster.

“I don’t really hate school events. I like doing things with other boys.”

“Yes, you always put your best effort in everything.”

“It’s partly because I’m the class president, but it’s just that being the leader is right for my personality.”

Hmm. Myohan nodded. Now they could see the boys lining up for dinner. He asked, as naturally as he could, “But then why do you hate school trips?”

Yuja stopped immediately. He raised his glasses, which was a habit of his. He seemed a bit confused.

“You’re being strange today.”

Myohan shut his mouth, regretting saying too many things. Yuja’s eyes shined with intelligence. Myohan had been dealing with dumb boys till now. He was supposed to ask casually, but he ended up doing it crudely, thinking Yuja would be easily fooled like the other boys.

“Since when have you been so interested in me?”

Now he was really suspicious of Myohan. His eyes were telling him to confess what he was up to.

“You asked to help Sinsul with his study first.”

Myohan could see O Shin standing among their classmates. He must have spotted Myohan as he was looking at him. He wondered what to do, but Yuja went on with a frown, “And then you followed Chookjae’s example and applied for extra summer classes.”

Myohan didn’t have to bother to say that he didn’t really take those classes. As Yuja must have taken extra classes too, he already knew.

“You had like zero friends, but then you suddenly got close to the boys in other classes.”

“Well…”

“In general, you’ve been acting strange since O Shin transferred to our school.”

Myohan had nothing to add. He was just surprised to find out how Yuja knew so much about him. He bit his lips and thought about it, but then he saw O Shin far away and smiled. Yuja’s eyes widened to see the sudden smile.

“It makes me sad, Yuja.”

Really, whatever Yuja said was all true. Myohan had changed after O Shin came. To be more accurate, it started a little prior to that, but that transfer student was the reason. Myohan wondered if his change had been so obvious. He tried to pull a sad expression on his face.

“Do you think it is wrong of me to have friends?”

“No, of course not.”

“I was just asking because I was worried about you. I didn’t know you would accuse me like this.”

Yuja looked a little startled. He hadn’t expected this. Myohan he knew would just say it was momentary whim and move on, but now he really looked sad. Yuja angrily ruffled his hair.