17 Chapter 17 - The Sole Artist in a Literature Club 3 (1/2)
Translated by: ShawnSuh
Edited by: SootyOwl
”I guess we all failed,” Seo Kwang 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's still some time left.”
”It's already over at this point,” Seo Kwang announced, resting his chin on his hand on Juho's desk. Juho looked around. There were students on cleaning duty cleaning the classroom. It was time for club activities. There was no hope.
Despite involving the entire club in that situation, Juho sat peacefully, and Seo Kwang stared at him.
”What were you thinking when you made that bet?”
”It was half on impulse.”
Juho knew that Baron was interested in 'Sponge-Cake Girl.' 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 Kwang looked at him in disbelief.
”So, you're telling me that this mischief of yours was on impulse? In the future, don't ever get yourself into gambling.”
”What do you mean 'mischief?'”
”That's exactly what this is. You put your fate in the hands of a second-year whose name you don't even know. On top of that, you got everyone else in the club involved.”
”I suppose it is my bad that I didn't discuss this with others.”
Seo Kwang smacked his lips at Juho's apology. Then, he shook his head.
”Well, there wasn't going to be another chance if you failed anyway. He doesn't come across as the type who would give into somebody pestering him, especially after already saying 'No.'”
”I agree. That's why I went all in.”
”You're shameless.”
Juho laughed light-heartedly at Seo Kwang's criticism, and Seo Kwang stared at him for a while and asked quite seriously, ”What would you do if it didn't work out?”
If Juho'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'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's what I'm saying. You couldn't have jumped in blindfolded. ”
Juho felt bad for Seo Kwang, but he hadn't planned for the possible failure. That was what it looked like to be impulsive. At Juho's silence, Seo Kwang's expression grew darker. 'What to do?'
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 pushing ahead with his impulse.
”You can't do anything if you'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'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't failed yet. Besides, he had a good feeling about it. 'It'll work out,' he kept repeating to himself.
Seo Kwang sneered at him, ”Whatever. You owe me bread from the canteen if you fail.”
”I'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't common for Baron to be seen on the first-year's floor. He had never come down voluntarily to see a first-year, until now. Seo Kwang 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'm guessing the result is out?”
”How'd it go? Who won?” Seo Kwang asked, but Baron didn't answer. It seemed like he needed to discuss it privately, so Juho sent Seo Kwang ahead to the science room.
”Take your time.”
”OK.”
Seo Kwang 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. 'I had a good feeling about it,' 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't say a word, and Juho continued, ”I saw her holding a book when I saw her on the second floor hallway: 'The Trace of a Bird.' It's a recent best-seller,”
Baron hesitated at the familiar title.
”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 gratitude to a first-year who she hardly knew, even with a small gift. Usually, one would think of a reason to move on:
'I appreciate the help, but I don't know his class.'
'I don't know his name.'
'He's in a different grade, so I probably won't ever run into him again.'
It was a connection that could have been easily neglected. On top of that, she was an introvert. It couldn't have been easy to talk to someone who she didn't know.