Chapter 2: Anyone would’ve felt...

“Hey?! Look there! Candy is falling!”

I turned my head abruptly when he said that candy was falling outside. But of course, such an event wasn’t actually happening, and the scene outside was just as usual.

“Haha... I, I was just kidding.”

“Oh, really? Haha... Shall we get up?”

The boy named Han-gyeol was the first to pick up his tray and stood up. I also made my way toward the exit, but for a moment, I saw Seo-ha and Jung-yeon looking for a seat. Swiftly, I turned my head and followed Han-gyeol.

By the way... did he try to distract me so I wouldn’t see Seo-ha and Jung-yeon?

However, there was no way Han-gyeol, who virtually met me for the first time today, would know about my feelings for Seo-ha.

But it was too out of the blue to be a coincidence, and it didn’t make sense to think he knew. Still, I was relieved that we didn’t cross paths and I left the cafeteria.

.

.

.

I was a bit surprised when Han-gyeol mentioned that he also liked books, just like me.

It was not right to judge people by their appearances, but I had assumed he was more into sports.

After a brief conversation, we headed straight to the library.

In the quiet library, Han-gyeol and I silently explored the bookshelves. As I was watching which book Han-gyeol would choose, he promptly took one out.

It was a book placed relatively high, but he easily reached it.

“It’s here too... but then again, it’d be strange if it weren’t.”

“Which one it is?”

I asked, hearing Han-gyeol’s soft murmur.

He was holding Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s “The Little Prince”.

“Ah- It’s The Little Prince. I read it when I was a child but haven’t read it since. Just felt like revisiting it. Haha.”

For some reason, he seemed a bit flustered... but I couldn’t comprehend the reason behind it.

Still, his flustered demeanor was amusing to see.

“Same here. I read it when I was a child but never revisited it.”

“Maybe we should read it now? It might feel different reading it as an adult.”

“Huh? But Han-gyeol, you haven’t become a complete adult yet, right?”

“Ah-! Right, right. I just thought, maybe being a high school senior is somewhat close to being an adult...? I mean, we’ll be adults next year, right?”

It felt like there were floating question marks above his head. His demeanor was both intriguing and amusing, making me burst into laughter without realizing it.

“Pfft! Han-gyeol is quite an interesting guy, isn’t he?”

“Don’t tease too much. I just misspoke.”

“Got it. Are you borrowing this book?”

“Since we’re on the topic, I might as well reread it. What about you, Eun-ha? What kind of books do you usually read? Novels?”

“I don’t particularly have a preference, but I do feel like reading a novel today.”

Upon Han-gyeol’s question, I took another look at the bookshelves.

I loved books, but deciding what to read was always a challenging task. I lifted my head to look at the books placed high on the shelf. Then, I spotted a novel that looked interesting and reached for it.

“...Huh.”

As I struggled to retrieve the book, Han-gyeol swiftly extended his hand from behind me.

His shadow cast over me, and it felt like his chest might touch the back of my head, causing me to flinch momentarily.

He effortlessly pulled out the book and handed it to me.

Well, it was quite an unexpected situation, to say the least...

“Here. Is this what you were trying to get?”

“Huh? Oh, yes. Han-gyeol, you’re quite tall, aren’t you?”

Come to think of it, this was the first time I was conversing so effortlessly with a guy, apart from Seo-ha.

For some reason, he radiated a comforting aura, perhaps because he appeared so laid-back.

“Really? I’m not even 180 cm.”

“Well, you’re still much taller than me. Anyway, I’ll borrow this book.”

I took the book from Han-gyeol and made my way to the library counter.

Since I was also a library assistant, I checked out the book myself and came out of the library with Han-gyeol.

“Let’s head back to the classroom now, shall we?”

“Sounds good. Is it the 5th period for physical education? We need to change into our gym clothes quickly.”

“Right. Let’s hurry.”

“Ah- Han-gyeol. Do you want to head back first? I have to do something more in the library.”

“Oh, okay? Do you need my help with anything?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Alright then. I’ll go ahead. Don’t be too late~”

Unexpectedly, Han-gyeol immediately said goodbye and headed straight for the classroom.

He seemed to be quite sociable... Does he really not have many male friends?

I was a bit worried about the new semester since I couldn’t hang out with Seo-ha and Jung-yeon anymore.

Although I was grateful to Han-gyeol for approaching me so friendly, making those worries fade, I still didn’t really know what kind of person Han-gyeol was.

He didn’t seem like a bad guy, but the unfamiliar feeling hadn’t disappeared yet.

Perhaps it was better to maintain a certain distance and observe him for a while?

Hmm... Am I being too calculating?

****

“Boys, go play basketball. The other grades are using the field. Girls, you can have some free time.”

It was the first day of physical education, and the teacher allowed us some free time. The boys flocked to play basketball, and among them was Han-gyeol.

“Eun-ha, what are you looking at so intently?”

“Ah- nothing. It seems the boys are playing basketball.”

“True. Want to go watch it? It’s boring just sitting here, right?”

The girl I was talking to now, Harim, was in my class in the first grade. We didn’t hang out in the same group, but it seemed like she too was separated from her friends, much like me.

No, it was a bit different. I couldn’t be with Seo-ha and Jung-yeon anymore…

“Harim, do you know a guy named Lee Han-gyeol?”

“Huh? I’ve never heard of him. Who is he?”

“The one holding the basketball over there.”

“I’m not sure. Which class was he in during the second grade?”

“I think he said class 5.”

“Hmm, I don’t know him then. Anyway, since there’s nothing else to do, let’s just watch the basketball game.”

“Alright.”

It wasn’t just Harim and I who were watching the basketball game. Other girls were also watching the boys from outside the basketball court.

The boys played passionately, swinging their arms and the ball energetically.

Among them, Han-gyeol seemed particularly joyful...

Huh? Is that his happy face?

He blocked the opposing player with a youthful smile on his face.

“Hey... hey! There’s something odd about this guy’s eyes.”

“Just pass the ball to me.”

“This is insane... Did you hear what I just said! There’s something odd about this guy!”

“Hey, just pass it! Pass!”

The opponent gripped the ball and threw it forcefully to the other side.

Yet, Han-gyeol stretched out his arm and caught the basketball perfectly.

And from afar, he threw the ball, and it beautifully went into the hoop.

“There you go. I was right...”

“This dude is weird!”

“Don’t you know about ‘Slam Dunk’*? Man, kids these days lack romance.”

“You’re one of those kids too! Why this guy always acts like this?”

“A man who never gives up...”

“Just stop. You crazy bastard!”

Though playing basketball, his gestures indicated he was definitely a high school boy. But there was something peculiar about him that made him seem more mature.

What could it be?

“That’s him, right? The one you mentioned earlier.”

“Uh? Yes. He just seems like a good guy.”

“He does look like it. Friendly and plays basketball well. Is he in the basketball club?”

“Maybe? I’ll have to ask later.”

I silently observed what kind of person Han-gyeol was.

He didn’t use rough language at all, not all the boys were like this.

He just played basketball, laughing brightly like any typical boy.

Although I couldn’t find anything odd in Han-gyeol’s actions, he seemed different.

As I silently stared at him, suddenly a basketball flew into my vision.

What...?

In the blink of an eye, seeing the basketball coming towards me, I tightly shut my eyes.

Bang!

I heard the sound of the ball colliding with something, but I didn’t feel any pain.

When I slowly opened my eyes, the back of a boy’s large hand was right in front of me.

“Eun-ha, sorry! Were you scared?”

“Ah...! No, I’m okay...!”

“That’s a relief. Hey! Don’t throw it so hard!”

“Ugh... Sorry, sorry! She didn’t get hurt, right?”

“She is fine!”

After throwing the ball back to his friend, Han-gyeol went back into the court.

“Wasn’t he kinda cool just now?”

Harim, who was beside me, looked at me with a very intrigued expression.

“Uh..? Wha- suddenly?”

“What do you mean suddenly? He totally blocked the basketball for you in a cool way.”

“Did... did he? I didn’t really notice...”

“But your face is a bit red for someone who didn’t notice. Did you fall for him?”

“No, it’s not like that...! I was just surprised.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Not even a bit fluttered?”

“No, I wasn’t fluttered..!”

Regardless of my answer, Harim seemed unsatisfied.

The continuous gaze from Harim made me feel pressured, so inevitably... I spoke.

“Ah, well, anyone would’ve felt a bit fluttered in that situation...”

“Right? Knew it! Ha- might we have the first couple in our class?”

“No, it’s not like that...!”

Still, after that incident, it seemed my guard against Han-gyeol might have dropped a bit...

But it was only been a day since we met, so this feeling would likely fade away soon enough!

--- End OF The Chapter ---

[TL: Slam Dunk: Slam Dunk is a popular basketball manga/anime.

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