Chapter 17 (2/2)

Despite it all, she had brought Juho the sponge cake . It wasn't likely that a person like that would be left alone . Besides, she had been involved in the drama that had attracted the attention of an entire cla.s.s and proven innocent . It wouldn't have been weird to be approached by at least one person .

”What she needs is something to talk about . ”

Then, there was silence, and Baron let out a smirk .

”That was disappointing . ”

There was emptiness in his tone . It was an emptiness that came from acknowledgement . Baron, too, had been keeping his eyes on Sponge-Cake Girl . He must have known better than any other person that being a loner didn't suit her .

He seemed like he was thinking of someone when Juho said, ”If you're alive, you can make it out . ”

That's what being alone was like . A person couldn't live on his own . As long as he was alive, somebody was bound to come by .

At that moment, they saw the Sponge-Cake Girl coming out of the school building with three other girls . Juho called her as he waved, ”The cake was delicious!”

”Right!”

She was smiling brightly and actually responding to him talking to her . She had come looking for him after he helped her, and now she wasn't alone .

”I should've tried to talk to her,” said Baron . ”I wish I had said something to that average Joe . He might have been able to last just a little longer . ”

A person couldn't survive on his own . Baron bit his lips .

”It's not your fault, Baron,” Juho whispered .

By the time Juho and Baron were the only people left in the yard, the bell rang throughout the entire school .

They headed to the science room . Baron still gave off a brusque impression, but he looked a bit more comfortable . Without saying anything to each other, the two walked up the stairs and went into the science room .

”Baron!”

”What?” Baron answered tiredly .

Ignoring his exhaustion, Sun Hwa continued, ”I forfeit!”

”What?”

'What is she saying?' Baron seemed dumbfounded . Next to him, Juho also tilted his head in confusion . It wasn't like Sun Hwa to bring up forfeiting .

Juho thought about explaining the situation to her, but Sun Hwa seemed like she still had things to say . She picked up a comic book . It was the same comic book she had been desperately trying to get Baron to read .

She pointed to Baron with the comic book and said, ”It's too late to ask if you can borrow it . Even if you're desperate to write a report on it, it's not going to work . ”

”I'm not interested,” at Baron's blunt answer, she stepped aside . There was a pile of comic books that were hidden behind her . ”What is all this?”

With a satisfied smile on her face, she presented her collection . As she explained each of her comic books with excitement, Baron asked her again, ”So what?”

”Let's read them together . ”

”I thought you said you forfeit?”

She shook her head at his response .

”These are only suggestions . I want to share this pa.s.sion of mine . ”

Baron hesitated . He couldn't think straight . Recognizing his hesitation, Juho replied . ”I want to read them too . ”

Her eyes lit up, and she smile brightly .

”I knew you'd understand . Comic books are even better when you read it with other people . ”

”Then, count me in,” Seo Kw.a.n.g chimed in .

”Not a chance,” she replied ruthlessly .

”That's not nice . Then, what about that one? You don't need it anymore . ”

While Seo Kw.a.n.g and Sun Hwa quarreled over a comic book, Juho took a book from the top of the pike and handed it to Baron .

At Juho's gesture, Baron couldn't help but smile . Then, he pulled out the black plastic bag, full of snacks .

”Here, have a snack . ”

”Oh, wow! You really know how to impress us . This bag looks familiar though . ”

”Somebody left it on my desk . ”

While Bom sat nervously, Baron opened up several packs of snacks and spread them out onto the desk . It was a party . Everyone held a comic book in their hands while munching on the snacks . Reading comic books and snickering together was truly a fun experience .

”I didn't know this was the comic book club . ”

”Mr . Moon!”

Mr . Moon came in and looked around the room . The Literature Club had turned into a comic book store . Then, he s.n.a.t.c.hed one of the snacks from the desk and put it in his mouth .

”Hand me a comic book, will you?”

Eventually, the entire club was immersed in comic books .

”Yo, you missed a spot . ”

As Juho leaned forward in his seat, a voice sounded above his head . It was obvious who the voice belonged to .

”You mean here?”

Pretending not to understand, Juho took a broom and swept across Seo Kw.a.n.g's feet . There were chunks of hair and dust stuck on the end of the broom . It clearly wasn't well-maintained . Seo Kw.a.n.g jumped up and stepped back .

Juho was in the middle of cleaning the cla.s.sroom . The cleaning rotation was based on the call number . There were three others on duty aside from him . Two of them swept the cla.s.sroom with him, and the other was mopping the hallway . After sweeping for some time, Juho straightened his back . There was no painful groan . It was a blessing to have a young body .

After checking for dust on his shoes, Seo Kw.a.n.g leaned against a desk . Naturally, he opened the book in his hand and started reading . He had a habit of reading whenever there was a chance to . Juho himself was an avid reader, but it was nothing like Seo Kw.a.n.g . 'He's an interesting fellow . ' he thought .

<the sole=”” artist=”” in=”” a=”” literature=”” club=”” (3)=””> The End

Translated by ShawnSuh Edited by SootyOwl I guess we all failed, Seo Kw.a.n.g said with a sigh . It had been exactly a week since Juho had made the bet with Baron . That meant that the tug o war between Baron and the first years would come to an by the end of that day . There 39 s still some time left . It 39 s already over at this point, Seo Kw.a.n.g announced, resting his chin on his hand on Juho 39 s desk . Juho looked around . There were students on cleaning duty cleaning the cla.s.sroom . It was time for club activities . There was no hope . Despite involving the entire club in that situation, Juho sat peacefully, and Seo Kw.a.n.g stared at him . What were you thinking when you made that bet It was half on impulse . Juho knew that Baron was interested in 39 Sponge Cake Girl . 39 From afar, she was alone . She was also introverted, yet ordinary . When Juho talked to her for the first time, he had simply been thinking out loud . Seo Kw.a.n.g looked at him in disbelief . So, you 39 re telling me that this mischief of yours was on impulse In the future, don 39 t ever get yourself into gambling . What do you mean 39 mischief 39 That 39 s exactly what this is . You put your fate in the hands of a second year whose name you don 39 t even know . On top of that, you got everyone else in the club involved . I suppose it is my bad that I didn 39 t discuss this with others . Seo Kw.a.n.g smacked his lips at Juho 39 s apology . Then, he shook his head . Well, there wasn 39 t going to be another chance if you failed anyway . He doesn 39 t come across as the type who would give into somebody pestering him, especially after already saying 39 No . 39 I agree . That 39 s why I went all in . You 39 re shameless . Juho laughed light heartedly at Seo Kw.a.n.g 39 s criticism, and Seo Kw.a.n.g stared at him for a while and asked quite seriously, What would you do if it didn 39 t work out If Juho 39 s plan failed, then bridging the gap between Baron and the rest of the club members would be much more difficult . Mr . Moon had blatantly given them a chance to connect . If they didn 39 t seize that blatant chance, than what followed would be blatant failure . Things would be even more awkward between him and the rest of us . That 39 s what I 39 m saying . You couldn 39 t have jumped in blindfolded . Juho felt bad for Seo Kw.a.n.g, but he hadn 39 t planned for the possible failure . That was what it looked like to be impulsive . At Juho 39 s silence, Seo Kw.a.n.g 39 s expression grew darker . 39 What to do 39 Juho had experienced countless failures up to the point of being homeless . He was sick of failing at something and he had no intention of reliving such a life . That was the reason why he was pus.h.i.+ng ahead with his impulse . You can 39 t do anything if you 39 re afraid of the results . There is no way to know the result of something until it reveals itself . That was especially true when it came to changing a person 39 s heart . No matter how much one measured and calculated, they would never reach the answer . That was what made waiting such a nerve racking event . Nothing was certain . I can think of a plan after I fail . Juho was certain that there was going to be a way . There was nothing to get out of worrying from that point on . The plan hadn 39 t failed yet . Besides, he had a good feeling about it . 39 It 39 ll work out, 39 he kept repeating to himself . Seo Kw.a.n.g sneered at him, Whatever . You owe me bread from the canteen if you fail . I 39 ll buy you a loaf of sponge cake . The two stood up from their seats to headed over to the science room . As they were on their way out through the back door, they found Baron standing in front of it . Come out for a second . At his deep, resounding voice, the students on cleaning duty stopped what they were doing . It wasn 39 t common for Baron to be seen on the first year 39 s floor . He had never come down voluntarily to see a first year, until now . Seo Kw.a.n.g pushed Juho from behind . It seemed like he wanted Juho to find out what was going on . What brings you here Why else would I be here aside from that one thing Baron was referring to the bet . I 39 m guessing the result is out How 39 d it go Who won Seo Kw.a.n.g asked, but Baron didn 39 t answer . It seemed like he needed to discuss it privately, so Juho sent Seo Kw.a.n.g ahead to the science room . Take your time . OK . Seo Kw.a.n.g waved, and then Baron went out to the hallway with Juho following him . They remained silent until sitting under the same tree from the day before . Baron asked calmly, How did you know It was somewhat of a random question, but Juho understood the gist of what he was trying to ask . 39 I had a good feeling about it, 39 thought Juho . Then, he exclaimed with a smile, The sponge cake girl must have made a friend I asked how did you know . Baron thought about what had happened three days before . The sponge cake girl had been talking with a group of people . The next day, and the following day, she was surrounded by people . She seemed happy, laughing and chattering with her friends . It took less than a week . Just as Juho had said, she had moved on from solitude . Then, there was Baron himself, remaining unfazed by it all . You knew it was going to happen too, Baron . Baron didn 39 t say a word, and Juho continued, I saw her holding a book when I saw her on the second floor hallway 39 The Trace of a Bird . 39 It 39 s a recent best seller, Baron hesitated at the familiar t.i.tle . Sponge Cake Girl has a very introverted personality . Talking to someone first is not an easy task for her . In that case, somebody needs to approach her and talk to her . She had things to talk about all along . It was in her hand . Juho thought of the sponge cake he had eaten on the same spot where he was sitting . She had come to show grat.i.tude to a first year who she hardly knew, even with a small gift . Usually, one would think of a reason to move on 39 I appreciate the help, but I don 39 t know his cla.s.s . 39 39 I don 39 t know his name . 39 39 He 39 s in a different grade, so I probably won 39 t ever run into him again . 39 It was a connection that could have been easily neglected . On top of that, she was an introvert . It couldn 39 t have been easy to talk to someone who she didn 39 t know . Despite it all, she had brought Juho the sponge cake . It wasn 39 t likely that a person like that would be left alone . Besides, she had been involved in the drama that had attracted the attention of an entire cla.s.s and proven innocent . It wouldn 39 t have been weird to be approached by at least one person . What she needs is something to talk about . Then, there was silence, and Baron let out a smirk . That was disappointing . There was emptiness in his tone . It was an emptiness that came from acknowledgement . Baron, too, had been keeping his eyes on Sponge Cake Girl . He must have known better than any other person that being a loner didn 39 t suit her . He seemed like he was thinking of someone when Juho said, If you 39 re alive, you can make it out . That 39 s what being alone was like . A person couldn 39 t live on his own . As long as he was alive, somebody was bound to come by . At that moment, they saw the Sponge Cake Girl coming out of the school building with three other girls . Juho called her as he waved, The cake was delicious Right She was smiling brightly and actually responding to him talking to her . She had come looking for him after he helped her, and now she wasn 39 t alone . I should 39 ve tried to talk to her, said Baron . I wish I had said something to that average Joe . He might have been able to last just a little longer . A person couldn 39 t survive on his own . Baron bit his lips . It 39 s not your fault, Baron, Juho whispered . By the time Juho and Baron were the only people left in the yard, the bell rang throughout the entire school . They headed to the science room . Baron still gave off a brusque impression, but he looked a bit more comfortable . Without saying anything to each other, the two walked up the stairs and went into the science room . Baron What Baron answered tiredly . Ignoring his exhaustion, Sun Hwa continued, I forfeit What 39 What is she saying 39 Baron seemed dumbfounded . Next to him, Juho also tilted his head in confusion . It wasn 39 t like Sun Hwa to bring up forfeiting . Juho thought about explaining the situation to her, but Sun Hwa seemed like she still had things to say . She picked up a comic book . It was the same comic book she had been desperately trying to get Baron to read . She pointed to Baron with the comic book and said, It 39 s too late to ask if you can borrow it . Even if you 39 re desperate to write a report on it, it 39 s not going to work . I 39 m not interested, at Baron 39 s blunt answer, she stepped aside . There was a pile of comic books that were hidden behind her . What is all this With a satisfied smile on her face, she presented her collection . As she explained each of her comic books with excitement, Baron asked her again, So what Let 39 s read them together . I thought you said you forfeit She shook her head at his response . These are only suggestions . I want to share this pa.s.sion of mine . Baron hesitated . He couldn 39 t think straight . Recognizing his hesitation, Juho replied . I want to read them too . Her eyes lit up, and she smile brightly . I knew you 39 d understand . Comic books are even better when you read it with other people . Then, count me in, Seo Kw.a.n.g chimed in . Not a chance, she replied ruthlessly . That 39 s not nice . Then, what about that one You don 39 t need it anymore . While Seo Kw.a.n.g and Sun Hwa quarreled over a comic book, Juho took a book from the top of the pike and handed it to Baron . At Juho 39 s gesture, Baron couldn 39 t help but smile . Then, he pulled out the black plastic bag, full of snacks . Here, have a snack . Oh, wow You really know how to impress us . This bag looks familiar though . Somebody left it on my desk . While Bom sat nervously, Baron opened up several packs of snacks and spread them out onto the desk . It was a party . Everyone held a comic book in their hands while munching on the snacks . Reading comic books and snickering together was truly a fun experience . I didn 39 t know this was the comic book club . Mr . Moon Mr . Moon came in and looked around the room . The Literature Club had turned into a comic book store . Then, he s.n.a.t.c.hed one of the snacks from the desk and put it in his mouth . Hand me a comic book, will you Eventually, the entire club was immersed in comic books . Yo, you missed a spot . As Juho leaned forward in his seat, a voice sounded above his head . It was obvious who the voice belonged to . You mean here Pretending not to understand, Juho took a broom and swept across Seo Kw.a.n.g 39 s feet . There were chunks of hair and dust stuck on the end of the broom . It clearly wasn 39 t well maintained . Seo Kw.a.n.g jumped up and stepped back . Juho was in the middle of cleaning the cla.s.sroom . The cleaning rotation was based on the call number . There were three others on duty aside from him . Two of them swept the cla.s.sroom with him, and the other was mopping the hallway . After sweeping for some time, Juho straightened his back . There was no painful groan . It was a blessing to have a young body . After checking for dust on his shoes, Seo Kw.a.n.g leaned against a desk . Naturally, he opened the book in his hand and started reading . He had a habit of reading whenever there was a chance to . Juho himself was an avid reader, but it was nothing like Seo Kw.a.n.g . 39 He 39 s an interesting fellow . 39 he thought . The Sole Artist in a Literature Club 3 The End

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