"If that's the issue, then I'll join the search team too. Wouldn't that solve it?"
Taking advantage of the moment when everyone was at a loss, Ban Haru's voice echoed around the table. Sihyun felt as if his mind had gone blank for a moment. He wondered if Ban Haru had overheard his words just now.
"But that wouldn't solve the underlying problem."
"Why not?"
"Even if the senior joins, I still don't think I fit in with the search team. I don't think I can handle it."
Emphasizing once again the words he had already spoken, Sihyun expressed his opinion. He had suggested that Ban Haru might be better suited for the search team because he believed he couldn't handle it, but Ban Haru joining wouldn't resolve the issue.
As he accurately pointed out the situation, a brief silence fell over the table where the eight of them were seated in a circle. Sihyun confirmed that all seven pairs of eyes, except his, were fixed on him, and he swallowed back the lump in his throat. It had never been this uncomfortable not to have Hamin, Haewoon, or Gunwoo at the same table.
"Why do you think you can't handle it?"
"I'm naturally not good with things that feel burdensome."
"Is that all?"
"I don't even have confidence that I'll be good at it."
"Confidence can be built."
"I just don't want to be part of the search team."
"Hmm."
Although the tone was calm, there was no concession as the argument continued, and Ban Haru narrowed his eyes. When he met Haeun's gaze, Haeun turned her head to look at Hamin. Seeing this peculiar exchange of glances, Sihyun watched as Ban Haru's hand moved.
"So, you don't believe you'll be good at the search team."
"If you want to put it that way."
"We believe in you, so why don't you believe in yourself?"
"You?"
"If you can't trust yourself, then trust the judgment we've made. Let's take charge of the search team together."
"..."
It was an irresistible tug-of-war. Sihyun, feeling frustrated with Ban Haru's stubbornness and firmness, pressed his forehead, exhaling a frustrated sigh. He felt heat emanating from his breath as it escaped through his lips. There was a fire burning inside him.
"Is it normal to enforce roles like this?"
He tried to stay quiet to avoid sparking more conflict, but a dissenting remark popped out unexpectedly, unable to accept the outcome. Ban Haru looked at Sihyun after hearing the first complaint since entering the conference room. His indifferent eyes held a hint of blue. Ban Haru's response to his junior's dissatisfaction was simple.
"If you have the strength, you must also take responsibility."
"..."
"You have the ability, so you should do what's right."
Upon hearing that response, Sihyun realized that they were all wrong.
It felt like more than just a lack of communication. It felt like there was a language barrier between him and them. With great power comes great responsibility. He knew that. Who wouldn't? But why should that apply even to a siege?
Pressing his forehead as if talking to a wall, Sihyun sighed deeply, feeling the resignation of accepting his fate. Hamin smiled gently at Sihyun as if to refresh the atmosphere, and Sihyun stared back with skeptical eyes behind his glasses.
It was a statement that couldn't be completely denied. Rather, as Ihans said, it was perhaps the most ideal way to see it. Blocking the only route that could overturn the course of the game smoothly. But aren't there others besides him who are strong?
At this table were seven seniors who had more combat experience than him. As he pondered over this, Ihans added something to his earlier statement.
"Of course, being strong can mean various things, but I think you, Sihyun, are most suitable for the search team after the Moon. Being an All-Rounder is precious. You can assist Moon or fight alongside him. And even if by some chance Moon falls behind, you can handle the search alone, right? That's why you're suitable."
"..."
"Still dissatisfied?"
"...No."
He reluctantly responded to Ihans' persuasive pressure. It seemed inevitable that he would become a member of the search team.
As he sighed, feeling resigned to the uncertainty ahead, Ihans smiled softly, appearing satisfied with achieving his goal. It was a satisfied expression as if he had accomplished his goal.
"Well, let's call it a day for now. Is Team A finished as well?"
The uncomfortable position was decided for me alone, and after that, Ban Haru asked about Team A. Kang Haewoon responded cheerfully, swinging the team record sheet. From the looks of everyone's expressions, it seemed that everyone was satisfied with the team distribution.
I never thought I'd envy Kang Haewoon someday.
Seeing Kang Haewoon laugh so freely while I felt unjust, Kang Sihyun swallowed his resentment.
Lee Hamin clapped his hands to signal the end of the first meeting for the Blue Team's siege.
"You became part of the search team?"
As we left the conference room, Najik chuckled and asked me about what happened. It was evident he didn't feel like doing it, so I messed up my hair in frustration.
As we headed towards the entrance, the 1st-year students from Class A of Grade 10, who finished their meeting earlier than us, were gathered around.
"Oh, finally, they're out."
Looking this way, Down seemed bored. Haewoon looked around at Down, Jihae, Hahyeok, and the others.
"What, did you finish faster than us?"
"Yeah. Kang Haewoon disbanded the team right after quickly finishing the team allocation. Isn't that impressive?"
Whether they had become close during the meeting or whether they simply admired her, Down referred to Yoo Sia as an older sister, praising her, which earned a scoff from Najik. He was being sarcastic.
Watching Najik jeer at Down with an appreciative eye, both of them snarled at each other, and Hamin intervened to smooth things over, but Down wasn't one to easily let things slide. She immediately confronted a girl who approached angrily, showering her with complaints. Seeing Yoo Sia's face of defeat, Kang Sihyun had retreated to his shell with a sense of defeat.
As we exchanged glances, SeoWoo smiled broadly. Seeing her smile, I couldn't help but feel suspicious. She couldn't not know what I knew.
As our eyes met, SeoWoo grinned. Her grin seemed to suggest she was trying to figure out his intentions, and when her eyes flickered, Haewoon pulled me aside, avoiding an information leak. Haewoon's playful laughter was a sharp contrast to the tension in the room.
"Is it okay for SeoWoo to reveal her team?"
"What?"
Surprised by Haewoon's accusation, Down turned to face SeoWoo instead of arguing with Hamin. SeoWoo, who had received attention that day, tried to laugh it off, but Down wasn't about to let her off the hook so easily. She immediately started scolding her with irritation. Seeing SeoWoo raise both hands in surrender, Sihyun halved himself, feeling embarrassed.
As SeoWoo clung to him excessively, Sihyun managed to push her away. With Kang Geonu's help, who was nearby, they succeeded in separating her. After that, Haru looked at Sihyun with a puzzled expression. Sihyun, scratching his cheek, agreed with Haewoon's opinion.
"Since we're in different teams, I can't reveal that. It's a competitive game, after all."
"Ah..."
Only then did Haru show a disappointed expression, fidgeting with her fingers. It seemed like she was upset about being in a different team, but she didn't understand the strategic importance of knowing who was on the opposing team. But the fact that she was more interested in teasing her opponents than feeling uncomfortable with being scolded was a new realization for me.
As we exchanged glances, Haru grinned. Seeing her smile, I couldn't help but feel suspicious. Haru couldn't not know what I knew.
We spent our time preparing for the tournament, each busy with our own training. I watched the children who were participating in the obstacle course, wondering what would happen next. When they were practicing with various obstacles, I was amazed to see them easily surpassing Haewoon, who was 173cm tall. As time passed, Sihyun became close enough to Ban Haru to be considered a proper senior and junior.
Thus, the eagerly awaited Sports Day approached.
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