3rdtester

 [Chapter 121]

[Drink Up to My Friend Too]

In their previous life, On Tae-yang and his party members had joined the cultural exploration club.

Eun-ha judged that they probably formed their party based on that connection.

So Eun-ha planned to use this opportunity to get close to them.

On Tae-yang was lucky.

The people in that club became high-ranking public officials or associates of powerful clans.

With nothing but his body.

It could only have been a stroke of luck for On Tae-yang.

And in this life, Eun-ha grasped that stroke of luck first.

Of course, it wasn't him but his friends who became close with the club members.

"So?"

"Since we've been club members since middle academy, we're not rookies, so they're asking us to participate in promotional activities."

"...Can't you guys just do it?"

"Looks like you're not a club member. If you're going to quit the club, do it that way."

"You're so inflexible..."

60 students per class, 30 classes in total.

In fact, the concept of classes was meaningless, as students moved to lecture halls to receive classes after getting notices.

Eun-ha who was sitting in the lecture hall to receive roll call frowned seeing Mok Min-ho and Choi Eun-hyeok who suddenly came.

Separately from that, the students' gazes were focused on the three people.

"I heard from the president that there are so many people in the high school division that we even have to conduct interviews."

"Can't be helped since there are a lot of people. So what do I need to do?"

"Here."

In fact, Eun-ha didn't actively participate in club activities.

He had already accomplished the goal of becoming close with Mok Min-ho and Cha Eun-woo.

In contrast, his friends who participated in regular activities and even occasional impromptu gatherings took on club officer positions upon entering high academy.

1st year representative Mok Min-ho.

Eun-ha opened his eyes wide seeing the promotional materials Min-ho dropped on the desk with a thud.

There were too many.

"...You want me to do all this?"

"That's only 100 sheets. If you distribute 1 sheet each to your classmates, only 40 will be left."

"Why don't you just distribute them yourself?"

"As a member, you have your own work, and representatives have separate work to do. I have to go distribute promotional materials to other members too."

Mok Min-ho snorts.

Seeing the face that made him want to break his nose, Eun-ha realized.

If we give him power, it seems subordinates will have a hard time...

It seems like he's pushing people around.

If the two heard this, they would tell him who really pushes people around harshly.

Anyway, as long as he had to stay in the club to meet On Tae-yang's party, he had no choice but to obediently follow.

"Boss! See you later then! We agreed to distribute promotional materials with club members and kids during lunch break, so boss must come too!"

1st year PR Choi Eun-hyeok.

Eun-hyeok promoted the club to Eun-ha's classmates with his characteristic friendly smile.

For the first time, Eun-ha got to exchange introductions with the person next to him through Choi Eun-hyeok.

"Then I'll go too."

"Ah, wait."

"Why?"

Mok Min-ho was about to leave.

Then, Eun-ha who grabbed him as he was leaving the lecture hall asked while shaking his smartphone.

"Did you get home safely yesterday?"

"...Shut up. Know that I'll never drink with you again."

There was apparently an alcohol party in Mok Min-ho's class the day before.

Eun-ha who knew his drinking habits teased him with a grin.

Mok Min-ho who had shown one disgraceful appearance grunted and left hurriedly.

By the way, how should I handle this...

No, I can just distribute them, what's the problem.

Eun-ha had long confirmed there were no members of On Tae-yang's party among his classmates when first assigned to the class.

There were promising talents visible, but they were people he didn't need to pay much attention to.

So he who hadn't even properly conversed with his classmates until now even after classes started suddenly stood up from his seat.

Then, he went down to the very bottom row and approached the student at the very front.

"Pass this around, 1 sheet per person next to you."

"...Huh? Oh! I will."

A student who entered as 31st grade.

Eun-ha divided the promotional materials by eye and distributed 1 sheet each to the students at the front of each row as he went up.

As proud students were gathered, fights could break out from mistakenly ordering trivial things, but.

"Why? Do you have any complaints?"

"No... I just thought you were handsome..."

"There's a club explanation meeting too, so come take a look. There will be lots of delicious things."

Eun-ha patted the student's shoulder while feeling inwardly pleased.

The student who lost the momentary battle of nerves passed the promotional material to the person next to him with an embarrassed smile.

"Eun-ha! What should I do with the leftovers?"

"You use them."

"A-all of these...?"

"Take as many as you need and bring the rest to my seat."

Eun-ha who asked to place promotional materials on the seats of students who hadn't arrived yet.

Having distributed 59 people's share by moving his hands a few times, Eun-ha dusted off his hands.

I'll have to distribute the remaining promotional materials following the kids during lunch break.

Come to think of it, it wouldn't be bad to meet On Tae-yang and his party members under the pretext of delivering promotional materials while going around the academy.

Just as Eun-ha thought that.

"Eun-ha! Someone's here looking for you!"

"Huh?"

Eun-ha who returned to his seat tilted his head at the shout of a 031st grade student at the door.

Looking towards the door, some girl was standing hesitantly unable to come inside.

"Ah..."

Yoon I-byeol.

Yoon I-byeol with her hair braided in two made eye contact with Eun-ha and shrank like a turtle.

What's up with her?

Even though he hadn't done anything yet.

Eun-ha who had been thinking all meetings would take place in the cultural exploration club expressed doubt.

Though he was glad she came personally since he wanted to put her in the party.

When Eun-ha gestured, she soon came inside while watching the reactions of the classmates.

"Hello. What's up?"

"Hel...lo..."

He looked up blankly at her who came in front of his seat.

Yoon I-byeol with her head bowed low answered as if mumbling while tightly hugging something to her chest.

She's completely different from the <Butterfly Lady> I know.

I knew she was very shy, but she seemed to have a decisive side then.

In the 2nd Uijeongbu Recapture Operation.

Yoon I-byeol who confidently gave briefings to associates of powerful clans without showing a cowed appearance.

Eun-ha who remembered her appearance then examined her curiously from various angles.

Each time, she fidgeted uncomfortably.

"Um, this..."

"Huh? Ah, that's right, come to think of it."

Unable to bear his gaze any longer.

Yoon I-byeol held out the paper bag she was hugging to her chest to Eun-ha.

Opening the paper bag, there was a pair of gloves inside.

The item Eun-ha had given her when he first met her on Christmas Eve last year.

"...Thank you for lending me the gloves."

"I said you didn't have to return them... Anyway, thanks. Did you get home safely that day?"

"How could I just take them... Yes, I got home warmly that day. And I washed the gloves cleanly."

"But why do you keep using honorifics? Didn't you say you'd speak casually before?"

A curiosity that suddenly came to mind.

When Eun-ha asked purely out of curiosity, Yoon I-byeol flinched.

She watches the reactions of the students in the class.

Then she speaks carefully.

"...You didn't tell me your name then. I thought you were someone living in a similar world as me..."

"Just speak comfortably like before."

"And in the 31st grade orientation, they said it's better to be careful with 031st grade people as much as possible..."

"I'm fine with it. Speak comfortably."

"Especially for No Eun-ha, they said it's better to attach the title 'nim'..."

"..."

No Eun-ha nim, really.

Eun-ha made a sour expression.

A few days ago, Min-ji said 031st grade students spread his scariness to 31st grade students, and it seemed that was true after all.

They seem to be trying not to bother me in their own way...

Now he was curious.

What kind of rumors about him were circulating in the academy.

Even when he asked his friends, they just responded with bitter smiles.

"Just call me by name, comfortably."

"But..."

"Comfortably."

"...Yes. No, okay..."

It's almost like receiving a deep bow.

Eun-ha said with a blank expression.

Yoon I-byeol who was hesitating finally nodded.

"And if you have any difficulties in the future, come to me. I'll help you."

"Huh?"

The atmosphere loosened somewhat.

When Eun-ha spoke lightly, she blinked her eyes.

Now that he looked, he thought he could see a bit of <Butterfly Lady> through the red round glasses.

She opens her mouth.

"The gloves and all... Why are you being so nice to me? Ah... sorry if it's my misunderstanding. I often hear I'm insensitive..."

Yoon I-byeol neatly clasps her hands together.

In contrast, Eun-ha shrugged his shoulders with a nonchalant face.

"I don't know either. I just strangely want to take care of you?"

"...Huh...?"

"You know how there are people you want to take care of sometimes even if they're just standing still? Isn't that so?"

Because I want to draw you into the party.

How could he suddenly say such a thing when he didn't know much about her.

He can just tell her later.

So Eun-ha responded to the question with a question.

Yoon I-byeol who received the right to speak seemed flustered and at a loss.

She just opens and closes her mouth like a carp.

She's worse at speaking than me?

A female student completely different from <Butterfly Lady> who was famous as a navigator.

Eun-ha who clicked his tongue inwardly finally decided to lead the conversation himself.

"Come to think of it, have you thought about what club to join?"

"Huh? Not yet... I agreed to look around what clubs there are with classmates during lunch break later. Um... I heard some clubs discriminate or select by grade, so... I'm planning to look around carefully..."

"There shouldn't be such issues unless it's an overly aristocratic club. But be careful since there could be clubs that exist in name only to collect club support funds within the school."

"Really? There are places like that too?"

"There are occasionally."

"Hmm... I see. Okay, thanks."

Now's the chance.

Eun-ha watched the timing and handed her one of the promotional materials on the desk.

Yoon I-byeol reflexively took the promotional material that came forward.

"That one's not bad either. I recommend it."

"Cultural exploration... club? What kind of club is this?"

"Narrowly in Seoul, broadly outside Seoul, a club that goes around finding good restaurants."

"...Huh?"

"It's a club where you can legally get an outing permit and go out to play."

"...I want to join a club that will help me become a player..."

Eun-ha explained firmly.

Yoon I-byeol who heard the explanation for the first time just kept blinking her eyes then carefully expressed her own opinion.

Eun-ha quickly answered her words, anticipating this.

"Actually it's a club that resolves mana imbalance while going around outside the academy. It will help with controlling mana."

"Ah, I see. But... you know quite a lot?"

"I'm a member there."

"There... it's not a place with only scary kids, right?"

"Look at me. Do I look scary?"

"...No."

The timing of denial is slow.

However, Eun-ha decided not to mind much.

Eun-ha trusted Eun-ah's evaluation more than other people's evaluations.

"There are many good people there, and many kids who study well too. It will be helpful for you if you join."

"Hmm... it's not too aristocratic, right? For me..."

"There are many middle academy graduates but they're not bad kids so it's fine. Many high academy graduates will apply this time too."

"...Okay, I'll think about it."

Yoon I-byeol answered after pondering.

Seeing her face relax at the end, she seemed interested.

She was destined to join the cultural exploration club even if Eun-ha didn't do anything.

"Ah, roll call is about to start. I'll get going now. See you next time."

"Okay, see you next time."

"Ah, and─."

Yoon I-byeol leaving the lecture hall.

She opened her mouth shyly to Eun-ha who escorted her to the door.

"─I'm glad you're not as scary a person as I thought. Thanks so much for the gloves and this too."

Yoon I-byeol smiles softly.

Eun-ha burst into a faint laugh seeing her hopping like a rabbit towards the lecture hall.

☆

"Who was that girl who just left? Who is she that No Eun-ha treats her so kindly?"

"Oh my, did you see him smiling just now?"

"Is she already making a move to join No Eun-ha's group? Wow, amazing. I don't think I could go that far..."

"She doesn't have a necktie so she must be 31st grade... Look for anyone who knows her among the 31st grade."

"But really... she looks so plain. Why is she wearing glasses like that without even wearing makeup?"

"Wearing makeup or not is freedom. But doesn't she seem a bit... nerdy?"

"She does seem that way. She's unremarkable."

"Anyway... all sorts of trashy kids are coming in as the number of people increases."

"Huh? Why are you lumping us in because of just one kid?"

"When did I? I'm just saying. I never said anything to you guys, so why are you getting upset on your own? Are you perhaps not confident in yourself?"

"What? Hey, are you done talking?"

"Guys, don't fight! No Eun-ha is coming in now!"

"Guys, shh! Shh!"

""""Shh─!!""""

☆

1st year PR for the cultural exploration club.

Choi Eun-hyeok diligently distributed promotional materials when lunch break came.

"Oh, Eun-hyeok! What are you doing here?"

"I'm promoting the club now! Do you want to take one each too?"

"Club? Ah, was it cultural exploration? That's been going on for a while. Give me one."

Choi Eun-hyeok had a thick network.

He who formed connections by exercising with various people whenever he had a chance encountered people he knew everywhere he went.

Thanks to kindly teaching 31st grade students at the previous launch ceremony, it wasn't difficult to approach them either.

"The kids entering this time will be my classmates... I hope many good kids join..."

Though the boss tried to skip gatherings saying it was bothersome from some point.

But he was often caught by Min-ji.

Eun-hyeok liked the cultural exploration club's activities and people.

So he voluntarily took on the 1st year PR officer position

"There will be an orientation for the cultural exploration club this Friday evening, so please attend! Our club plays when it's time to play! Studies when it's time to study! It's that kind of club, so please show a lot of participation and interest!"

As a result, he took pride in the club he was part of.

Eun-hyeok loudly explained the advantages of the club in front of the cafeteria.

"Also! Our club has Jung Ha-yang who entered as valedictorian and Bae Su-bin who entered as salutatorian this time! If you don't know something, ask those two and they'll kindly explain!"

Though it was questionable whether Bae Su-bin would kindly explain, Eun-hyeok promoted it that way.

Middle academy students also had to formally take the same exam as high academy students.

Of course, the practical difficulty level was different.

But from what Eun-hyeok heard here and there, the person who entered as overall valedictorian was Jung Ha-yang, but─.

─Who was it? Was it Yoon I-byeol?

The person who got a perfect score on the written exam was apparently Yoon I-byeol from the 31st grade.

Even if 031st grade students didn't seriously take the written exam, it was quite a difficult test.

Getting a perfect score on that was certainly an amazing feat.

The boss might be interested...

I wonder if she'll join our club too.

Ah, since I thought of the boss, I should mention the boss's name too.

In the flow of consciousness.

Choi Eun-hyeok who awoke from his reverie shouted loudly again.

"No Eun-ha is in our club too! You all know who No Eun-ha is, right!?"

However, it backfired.

As soon as they heard Eun-ha's name, people who had been showing interest around retreated.

Eun-hyeok realized his mistake and decided to only promote Jung Ha-yang's and incidentally Bae Su-bin's names.

But then.

"Honey, what did you just say?"

"...Huh?"

While no one was approaching.

A male student taller and skinnier than himself approached.

"You're saying if I join there, I can meet No Eun-ha, honey?"

"Uh... uh uh, that's right."

What's with this guy.

Choi Eun-hyeok nodded to the lightly made-up male student with a dazed face.

"Hmm, really?"

The male student hums a tune.

Then he slowly looks Eun-hyeok up and down with long-lashed eyes.

W-what?

Eun-hyeok flinched for a moment.

He felt on edge.

It was like facing a snake.

Regardless, the male student wiped his mouth with his finger and asked with a nasal voice.

"Looking closely, you have a nice vibe too. Are you like part of No Eun-ha's group or something?"

"Well, I guess... Maybe?"

"Seems all the boys there are handsome. Honey, do you have a boyfriend?"

"...Huh?"

An out-of-the-blue question.

It seemed like he shouldn't say no.

Eun-hyeok who instinctively felt something quickly blurted out.

"─I have tons of boyfriends!"

"Oh? You're a player, honey. Can I join there too?"

Choi Eun-hyeok expressed relief inwardly, but couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.