Chapter 14: Extra meets the president at the convenience store.

‘I was so surprised.’

During dodgeball, when Yoon Sejeong asked if she could grab my waist, I easily allowed it.

It was because the movement had become more intense, and there was a risk of falling if we only held onto the collar of the uniform.

It also made it easier for me to defend. However, when she grabbed my waist with both hands, I was so surprised that I almost made a strange sound right in the middle of the gym.

I knew she was going to grab me, but the moment Yoon Sejeong touched my waist, I felt something odd.

Honestly, I’ve hugged my parents and little sister in my life, but I’ve never had anyone grab my waist before. Still, something felt strange.

Was it because it tickled? It definitely felt ticklish where her fingers touched. But when her fingers applied pressure, the marks were so distinct that it felt… Like the strange feeling I had the first time I touched myself when I was a child.

‘I didn’t know I’d be this sensitive just from a friendly touch.’

I need to be careful around my waist in the future. Thinking that, I changed out of my gym clothes, which were soaked in sweat.

“Ha…”

As I took off my gym clothes, I could feel the sweat gathering on my chest. I’d felt it yesterday too, but women have it inconvenient like this.

When I was a man, just taking off my top would dry the sweat easily, but for women, there’s always some sweat left inside the chest, so I had to wipe it off with a towel.

It would’ve been more comfortable if my chest was a little smaller. Unfortunately, Kim Hayeon has a relatively large chest.

“Oh, I didn’t bring a towel.”

I remembered to bring my gym clothes, but I forgot to bring a towel to wipe myself with. It should be safely tucked away in my bag in the classroom by now… Should I put my gym clothes back on and go grab it?

“Princess, you didn’t bring a towel again? Here.”

As I was debating whether to go or not, Jia handed me a towel. It seemed like a fresh towel she carried as a spare.

“Thanks. I’ll wash it and return it later.”

Whenever something like this happens, I get help from Jia or Sohee. I always feel guilty, but I’m glad we’re in the same class.

“It’s fine. Just take it home and wash it with mine.”

Rather than giving me a towel with a sweaty smell, it’s much better to wash it and return it. If I’m borrowing her towel, I should at least do that.

“…If you say so.”

For some reason, her response was lukewarm. Was she uncomfortable with me saying I’d wash it? Even so, I had no intention of backing down.

Thinking that, I unhooked my bra and started wiping under my chest. The soft sensation filled both my hands.

‘…This feels kind of perverted.’

A woman wiping off sweat with her chest exposed in the changing room… If I had seen it when I was a man, I would’ve definitely been excited. But right now, it just felt like I was looking at my own body.

“Even when changing, I thought it, but Hayeon really has a big chest.” “…Huh?”

Yoon Sejeong, who was also wiping off sweat nearby, suddenly said that to me.

“When you’re in your school uniform, I wasn’t sure, but seeing it like this, there’s a clear difference…”

She said that, looking at her own chest, and then made a gloomy expression.

‘It’s not like it’s that small, though.’

According to her official settings, Yoon Sejeong’s chest is about 70B, so it’s sufficiently average-sized. It’s not small enough to feel bad about, especially when compared to Baek Ahra, who has an even smaller chest. And, it wasn’t like Sohee, who was standing right next to her, had a bigger chest.

“Tsk.”

Ah, Sohee just clicked her tongue quietly. It was understandable. For someone with a chest smaller than Yoon Sejeong’s, that comment would probably feel like a mockery.

“Isn’t it fine?” “Huh?” “Sejeong, you’re also on the larger side compared to average.” “Well, yeah, I guess…” “And I think your chest looks just right.”

I preferred a chest that wasn’t too big but not too small either. It suited clothes well, and she probably didn’t have as much shoulder pain as I did.

“…Do you think so?” “Yeah. You’re fine as you are.”

I’m glad.

“? What did you just say?” “Nothing.”

I definitely heard her say something.

“Let’s change quickly. We’re gonna be late.”

…Well, if she says she didn’t, then I guess she didn’t. Hearing Yoon Sejeong’s words, I checked the time. There were only about 6 minutes left until the break ended. Half of the class had already gone out.

“Wait a minute.”

Saying that, I quickly hooked my bra back on and changed into my school uniform.

‘I’ve got the towel folded, the water bottle packed…’

I checked that everything was packed and then left the changing room.

After School.

“So, are we all applying to the cooking club together?” “Yes.” “Okay, that should be fine. There should be enough space since the seniors who were in it last year graduated.” “Really? That’s a relief.”

I submitted the applications for me and the other three to the cooking club president.

“But, we’re starting proper activities next Tuesday, so you’ll have to attend regularly. Got it?” “…Yes, I understand.”

What she meant by that was clear. She would overlook any rumors, but I needed to show my sincerity through my actions.

‘At least that’s a relief.’

If we were rejected from the club, I would’ve had to figure out a different club to join, which would’ve been a hassle.

Drrrrrk. After lightly greeting the senior, I left the clubroom.

“How was it? Did it work out?” “It should be fine since there’s plenty of space. But we have to show up regularly.” “Thank goodness.”

Jia seemed relieved after hearing my words. Since she really wanted to join the cooking club, it was a natural response.

“So when are we starting?” “Next Tuesday.” “Then let’s have fun until then! I heard there’s a new tteokbokki place that opened…”

Sohee seemed to be all about having fun. Honestly, I had the same thought when I heard that we wouldn’t have to start until next week. I was just as eager to enjoy myself first.

“Next Tuesday… okay. I’ve entered it in.”

Yoon Sejeong was typing the schedule into her phone right away. I thought it was pointless since she didn’t really check her phone’s calendar, but I envied her for living so organized.

“Even though I mentioned it, is it okay for you to join the cooking club?”

I had decided on the cooking club after thinking about various factors, and since the others agreed, I submitted the forms. But just in case, I asked again. I was worried I might’ve pressured them into it.

“Me?” “Yeah.” “Mm… I actually did want to learn how to cook, and to be honest, none of the other clubs really caught my interest, so I’m fine with it.” “Really?”

I’m glad. If we do well with the club activities, the incident in the comic related to Kim Hayeon should pass by without any issues.

‘…Wait a minute.’

Incident?

‘How are Yoon Sejeong and the president supposed to meet?’

There are two major events where Yoon Sejeong meets Lee Seorin. The first is the fire at the club building, and the second is the convenience store theft.

The fire at the club building is the event where the president first notices Yoon Sejeong. One day when Yoon Sejeong, avoiding Hayeon’s gaze, borrows the reading club’s room, a fire breaks out from the electrical wires in dry weather, trapping her in the room to the brink of death. The person who rescues her is Lee Seorin, who rushes in with Baek Ahra.

This incident makes Yoon Sejeong familiar with the president, and it’s how she later joins the student council.

But if she joins the cooking club like this, that event wouldn’t happen. I had been so focused on the story involving Kim Hayeon and Yoon Sejeong that I didn’t realize this key event. What happens to the part where she meets Lee Seorin?

‘…I’ll just introduce her to Seorin later.’

Honestly, I didn’t care whether Yoon Sejeong got involved with Lee Seorin or not. To be blunt, what mattered most to me was graduating without any trouble, and I didn’t need to help Yoon Sejeong build her harem. I just needed to make sure she avoided dangerous events, like the fire.

“Then, see you tomorrow.” “Take care, transfer student.” “See you tomorrow.”

Before I knew it, I was already outside the school gate.

“See you tomorrow, Sejeong.” “Mm.”

She smiled and waved as I said my goodbye and walked off. She didn’t have to walk me out, but this was probably her way of showing consideration.

What I needed to focus on was maintaining a good relationship with her and making sure no harm came to her. Everything else wasn’t my concern, I reminded myself.

[Hey, sis, sorry, could you buy some gochujang on your way home?]

I received this text from Siyeon while heading home. Apparently, she thought I’d pick it up when I went grocery shopping yesterday but forgot. Gochujang was something I could easily pick up at the convenience store nearby, so I texted back that I’d get it.

-Next stop is…

‘I’ll get off here.’

I was about to get off and walk about 10 minutes to get home, but I’d need to make a detour to the convenience store. It was only a 10-minute walk, but now it’d take 15 minutes.

As I trudged along, I spotted the glimmering sign of the convenience store inviting me in. Though it wasn’t quite evening yet, the store seemed to be preparing for dinner.

“Welcome. It’s 25:00.”

The name of the store reminded me of one from my past life, but here, the store was really called 25:00. And it was doing really well. There was no neighborhood it wasn’t in.

I passed the clerk who greeted me and picked up a jar of gochujang as my sister requested. Then, I grabbed a snack and drink to have at home.

‘Oh, right, I should get something for Siyeon too.’

‘I’m guessing she won’t drink this…’

I grabbed a pack of chocolate snacks. This should be enough to make her happy.

After paying, I stepped out. The sun hadn’t fully set yet, but it was lingering in the sky, moving sluggishly down.

Just as I was about to leave the convenience store…

“No, why isn’t it coming out… I’ve already spent 5,000 won…”

‘…?’

In front of the store’s crane game machine, I saw a familiar face.

“Senior…?” “…?”

She tilted her head slightly and blushed when she recognized me.

“…It’s nothing.”

What did she mean by “nothing”?

“It’s fine, senior.” “Yeah?” “It’s not unusual for someone to spend 5,000 won at a claw machine…” “I…!” “The ‘princess’ won’t get scolded for spending 5,000 won at the claw machine, right? Heh…” “It’s not like that!”

Lee Seorin spun her black hair around and shouted at me, her face practically bursting with embarrassment.

Does she not realize that the more she reacts, the more I want to tease her?

“Step aside. I’ll get it for you.” “Huh?” “I’m good at it.”

Looks like I’m going to be a little late getting home.