Chapter 413 (1/2)

“Club activities start today?”

“Yeah, it’s been a while since school started, so we should slowly start getting things together.”

“Have you decided on a play?”

“Not yet. I’m planning to decide on one once the instructor comes.”

“Sorry I can’t help you out.”

“Once we get the schedule straight and we start practicing, I’m going to call you all the time, so don’t worry about that.”

The acting club started practicing for the winter nationals. During the summer preliminaries, they were defeated by a high school they didn’t even know the name of. Hwasoo High. That was a high school that they didn’t even hear about in last year’s preliminaries. Yet, such a school had gone to the nationals as second place after Myunghwa High. He didn’t have enough time to go watch their play, but he could hear some opinions from her.

-One incredibly good guy is leading the rest.

Although the national competition held in Seoul Arts Hall in August was won by Myunghwa High as he had expected, it was not a complete victory. They had to give up the Best Actor Award to Hwasoo High. The myth of Myunghwa High’s undefeated record of perfect victories had been finally broken.

“Hwasoo High, were they always so good?” Maru asked Daemyung.

“I was also curious about that and asked teacher Taesik. But even he said that it was a school he didn’t know. Apparently, they never participated in the Gyeonggi regionals until now.”

“Are they a new school then?”

“No, it’s not that either. Apparently, it’s a school in Seoul, and it seems quite famous in terms of academic results. It has a high advancement rate into good universities.”

“And they suddenly participated in the regionals this year and got second place?”

“Yeah. He told me that he heard some very skilled first years created the club, but I don’t really know many details. Oh, we have to go now. Good luck with your work.”

Daemyung and Dowook left the classroom together.

“I’m going.”

“Bye.”

Iseul grabbed Dojin and disappeared. Dojin was practically marrying into Iseul’s family, not the other way round. Apparently, it had been more than half a year since he started going to her family’s restaurant and working there. He apparently chopped onions all the way through summer, so Iseul’s parents should have taken a liking to his earnest actions.

“Han Maru, let’s go play basketball.”

“I have work to do.”

“Why do you always have work?”

“I wonder about that too.”

“Can’t you just play a single game? It’s because we’re lacking people. Also, we’re playing with the class next door, so we can’t exactly bring anyone.”

“Which class? Electrical? Mechanical?”

“Mechanical.”

Maru looked at the time. It was 5 p.m. While academic-focused high schools practically forced their students with mandatory after-school self study sessions, this school was taking ‘self’ study sessions a little too broadly in its meaning. This was why practically no one remained after school.

“Aren’t you going to self study sessions?”

“I can do that starting 3rd year. Rather than that, you’re coming, right? If you really can’t do a full match, then just help us out until 40 points. It’s an 80-point bet.”

“80 points in this weather? You guys are amazing.”

Maru pointed at the school field with his chin. The kids holding basketballs were cheering.

“But hey, what are you doing? A drama?”

“No, today, it’s for an ad.”

“You shoot ads too?”

“I’m just an extra. I’m just in the background.”

“Who else is in it?”

His friends listed the actresses in the country with a big grin on their faces.

“How would I know? I’m just going because the company told me I had work.”

“They didn’t tell you anything?”

“They would if I needed to know something. But why would I need to know anything when I’m at the bottom of the rung? I just do whatever they tell me to.”

Maru left the school building with a basketball in hand. He saw the guys from the mechanical engineering class waiting at the court.

“I’m leaving after 40 points.”

“Alright, everyone starts that way. 40 becomes 50, and 50 becomes a full match.”

The boys patted his back as they ran forward. Maru sighed as he followed them. A sports match between classes, whether it was basketball or football, was a match where they put their pride on the line, so it would cause a huge fuss if they lost. This was especially the case with the four people in his class. Those four played basketball whenever they had the time to. If he pulled out mid way without showing them anything, they’d probably text him and call him endlessly. It would be quite annoying.

“It’s hot, so let’s get this over with quickly.”

Maru threw the ball to the court as he spoke. There were three hours until the shoot.