"Let's discuss the field day!"
Field day?
Sihyun expressed confusion at the mention of the field day, starting from the Monday morning after the final exams. Suddenly, the answer came back when he asked what it was: a field day during the school trip. Checking the calendar, Sihyun saw the dates from June 25th to 28th circled in red pen. Below, the words 'School Trip' were written in round letters, unmistakably Haewoon's handwriting.
School Trip.
For Sihyun, who hadn't been on a school trip in the twelve years of elementary, middle, and high school, it was a familiar yet unfamiliar term.
He only knew they were going on a school trip on those dates, but he had no idea where they were going or what they would be doing.
"We're having a field day during the school trip?"
"Yeah! Haven't you heard?"
Even our class informant didn't know. What news?
In every class, there's someone who gathers various information starting from rumors spreading around the school. In Class A, it was Haewoon. Looking at him with renewed interest, Sihyun raised his eyebrows and turned to listen as Haewoon spilled details about the school trip.
"This school trip is on a cruise. We're going to Germany, and during the day before we arrive, we'll have the field day on the open sea."
"We're going to Germany for the school trip?"
"Yeah!"
"For just a three-day trip?"
It was unbelievable. But then, Sihyun soon realized that this was a world where abilities existed. Come to think of it, if it's a super-fast ship, it might be possible. However...
"We might get seasick."
Saying this somewhat seriously, Haewoon burst into laughter.
"It's an S-Class tourist cruise! What's there to worry about? Besides, this school trip is fully funded by the Awakened Association. We have to enjoy this high-class cruise properly! Oh, wait, so what are we doing for the field day?"
The discussion, which had gone off track, returned to the main topic. Sihyun didn't want to stand in front of the students pretending to be dead for a field day. With reluctance evident on his face, Sihyun hesitantly spoke up.
"Do we have to do it?"
"It's mandatory for all classes, right?"
"......"
Tsk.
Sihyun expressed his unwillingness with his tongue. It was absurd that they argued for group activities only during times like these, claiming they were focused on individual skills. As Sihyun sighed, Hamin raised his hand to express his opinion.
"Battle Royale."
Is he really serious?
They asked for opinions on the field day, and he suggests a battle? Sending out a ridiculous suggestion, Hamin received pitiful glances, and seeing those glances, Hamin furrowed his brow. Right at the moment when he was about to ask why, Haewoon spoke up.
"Well, it might be fun, but aren't we going on a trip, not going to demolish the ship? If that happens, even Hyuk's brother will hear about it. Anyone else with a different opinion?"
He was surprised that someone insane would agree. Haewoon surprisingly made a rational point for once. When Hamin's opinion was promptly rejected, his expression soured, and Sihyun felt relieved. Amidst mixed reactions, Jihye raised her hand and, brushing her black hair behind her ear, offered a new suggestion.
"How about a fashion show?"
"A fashion show?"
"Yeah. Since everyone in our class has strong individual styles, it might not be bad for each of us to wear our own style of clothes and have a fashion show. What do you think?"
At least it was better than a Battle Royale. Just when it seemed okay, Haewoon nodded as well.
"I think it's a good idea! But..."
"But...?"
"Can we win first place with that?"
It seemed possible.
Sihyun's eyes widened when he heard Haewoon's answer. They were some of the main figures among the Awakened. When Jihye asked if she needed to win first place, Sihyun looked at Haewoon.
"Of course! The first-place class is excluded from the outdoor training in July!"
"Outdoor training?"
"Yeah!"
"Wow."
Only then did the kids, who were previously disinterested, show interest upon Haewoon's words.
Outdoor training.
Starting from the second year, schedules like the school trip were all packed in the first year due to the joint Mirgun training. And that included the exception of the outdoor training.
Though it was called outdoor training, the combat training guided by instructors for one night and two days would be pure hell. Just the thought of it made Sihyun shudder. He stared narrowly at Haewoon, who belatedly mentioned the most important fact.
"Really?"
"Yeah! The first-place class will just have regular lessons for those two days, I heard."
"Wow."
"Why are you telling us this now?"
"Who's the judging panel?"
"No matter what, our goal is to win first place."
The kids, who were previously uncooperative in the meeting, became passionate about winning the first-place prize. As Sihyun also joined in and started sharing ideas, the meeting became lively.
From puppet shows to abilities performances, changing Baek Geonu's clothes, various suggestions were made, but there was no impactful idea that could guarantee first place. When they considered dance and singing, Haewoon, who had been contemplating while stroking his chin, slammed the table.
"If we need impact, how about me singing?"
"Are you crazy?"
"Go crazy if you want to end up last place."
"If it's Baek Geonu, I agree. If it's Kang Haewoon, I disagree."
"......"
As if they had a secret understanding, they shook hands. Instead of aiming for first place, they fervently opposed it, and seeing them band together, Haewoon looked sheepish and confessed it was a joke.
"Are you all being too harsh on me?"
"Your singing skills must be terrible."
A blunt insult came without hesitation. But soon after, regaining his usual energy, Haewoon looked around at Class A.
"I was kidding earlier, and this is the real deal. What do you think our strongest weapon is?"
"Strength."
"Academic performance?"
"Um... unity?"
"......"
At Ji-hye's words, everyone turned to look at him. The girl, feeling awkward under their sincere gazes, scratched her cheek. Wanting to break the awkward tension, Haewoon spoke up to Geonu.
"Right..."
"Right?"
"It's your face!"
"......"
Swiftly, Haewoon grabbed Geonu's face with his hands and exclaimed confidently. Sihyun rolled his blue eyes. The gazes moved from Geonu to Ji-hye, from Ji-hye to Daun, and from Daun to the rest of the kids.
He had to admit it.
Honestly, even if these guys just stepped onto the stage and took a breath, the audience would applaud and cheer.
"That's true."
With a slow agreement, Haewoon returned to his seat.
"Aren't rumors going around that Class A was chosen based on looks? So, shouldn't we show off our best side in this long-awaited competition?"
"What does that mean?"
"Starting with rich facial expressions, showing everything possible through appearances."
"And so what?"
Getting annoyed by the constant hesitation, Hamin raised his eyebrows as Haewoon, not backing down, grabbed a piece of chalk. The words 'Couple Dance' were written on the board. Still, the writing was round and clumsy.
"Dance. A couple's dance, even!"
What could be more thrilling than this?
Talking as if it were something extraordinary, but it turned out to be a dance they had seen before. The only difference was the word "couple" in front of it. That's why Sihyun hesitated even more, clearly showing his reluctance. Yet, undeterred by Sihyun's expression, Haewoon fervently continued.
"If just dancing lacks impact, making it a couple's dance might work. Remember those variety shows like 'Let's Get Married'? I guarantee that our best shot at winning is through a couple's dance!"
It sounded like a sales pitch, but there was no choice but to agree. Good-looking people, sticking together, flaunting their skills, and dancing on top of it. It was a sufficient plan to capture one person's attention.
Let's be frank. If Daun and Hamin danced a couple's dance?
Even I, as part of the audience, would have voted them as number one.
Among all the opinions expressed so far, it seemed the closest to the winning path. That much was acknowledged. However, regardless of that, Sihyun didn't want to dance, especially not a couple's dance. If it was them, just dancing would have been more than enough to secure the top spot.
"Why does it have to be a couple? Just dancing should be fine."
"Yeah!"
"Why?"
"It's more provocative!"
"......"
It couldn't be denied. While internally acknowledging Sihyun's potential as someone fit for broadcasting, Haewoon repeated that winning without a couple's dance would exclude the campfire event. It didn't take even a minute for a majority vote to confirm the couple's dance.
"But with two girls and six boys, how do we decide the pairs?"
"Well.... Since it's a couple's dance, it doesn't have to be a man and a woman, so shall we draw lots?"
"Or just dance with whoever you're comfortable with."
"Are you crazy?"
Hamin expressed disdain for Sihyun's suggestion. Seeing the strong opposition, there seemed to be no room for persuasion. Eventually, the consensus was reached through drawing lots. Haewoon took on the task of making slips for drawing lots.
Humming a tune, Haewoon tore paper, wrote numbers, and folded the slips before placing them into a pencil holder. He called out the kids as they sat in order.
"Number 3."
Picking his own slip, Sihyun checked the number and glanced around.
"The person with number 3."
"Looks like luck's on my side."
It wasn't a direct response. Startled by the familiar voice from the side, Sihyun turned his head. Standing with a composed expression unlike the last time they spoke, a boy came into view. When their eyes met, he revealed his number as 3. Sihyun thought he might have misheard.
"Even if it's me, being so unresponsive could hurt feelings."
To Sihyun's evident discomfort, Seowoo replied nonchalantly. It was the first time they had properly faced each other and conversed since that conversation they had shared. His platinum-colored pupils curved gently. His smile, after a long while, was no different from before.
Was it all just a joke?
Since that day, he had remained uncomfortable, but he had treated me as usual. It felt as if he had completely forgotten our previous conversation. So, all his words seemed like jokes to me. It seemed like I was the only one who cared about that conversation and struggled not to care. Sihyun sighed deeply, feeling foolish.
It felt like being played with.
Sihyun, feeling foolish, turned his head towards the paper in Seowoo's hand.
"Is it really number 3?"
"Why would I lie?"
Sihyun confirmed the number written largely on the slip and sank his gaze.
The situation of getting entangled despite trying to avoid it was incomprehensible.
As if someone were deliberately manipulating the situation.
The feeling he had felt right after enrolling, constantly being involved with the Four Heavenly Kings without a moment's rest, enveloped Sihyun once again.
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