Predator Alert chapter 32

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“…No, even if I joined, I don’t think anyone would like it much.”

Back in first grade, Jeongseo had only participated in the tug-of-war and didn’t join any other events.

No one in the class had really asked Jeongseo to join, either.

Plus, if Jeongseo joined this time, it would mean practicing after school with people who weren’t close friends, which would just make everyone uncomfortable.

Though Jeongseo had gotten a bit closer to Hyunsoo’s group this year, things were still awkward with the rest of the class.

Just as Pyo Yoontae seemed about to say something, the other students suddenly turned to look at him. Their gazes were fixed on Pyo Yoontae.

Wondering why everyone was staring, Jeongseo looked up at his too, only to see Pyo Yoontae wearing a slightly annoyed expression.

“Yoontae, will you… play basketball?” the class president asked cautiously, watching for his reaction.

Jeongseo finally understood the situation.

Pyo Yoontae was tall and quick, making his perfect for basketball.

Even when he half-heartedly played during PE, he scored plenty of points.

“Basketball would suit him,” Jeongseo muttered, imagining Pyo Yoontae on the court.

Since Jeongseo was just planning to wander around and watch during the festival, having Pyo Yoontae play would at least make it more fun to watch.

As everyone waited for Pyo Yoontae’s response, he turned to Jeongseo and asked, “Would you like me to play?”

Now, all eyes were on Jeongseo.

Without much time to think, Jeongseo simply nodded.

Pyo Yoontae stretched his arm, which had been resting on Jeongseo’s shoulder, and playfully touched the tip of Jeongseo’s stiffened ear.

“Alright, I’ll do it,” he said.

The class brightened instantly.

Some students even laughed and glanced at Jeongseo, making Jeongseo feel oddly shy, as if it had all happened thanks to them.

After that, selecting participants for the other events went smoothly.

When it came time to choose for dodgeball, the class president smiled mischievously and asked, “So, who wants to join dodgeball? You can also nominate someone.”

Immediately, students started raising their hands, eager to nominate others instead of themselves.

Dodgeball… Jeongseo thought absentmindedly.

That might be fun.

“I nominate Seo Jeongseo.”

Startled, Jeongseo quickly looked to the side to see Pyo Yoontae grinning mischievously.

“I also want Jeongseo to play dodgeball,” he added.

Caught off guard, Jeongseo glanced around.

As expected, the class looked slightly uncomfortable, unsure of how to react to the sudden nomination.

In the midst of the awkward silence, Jeongseo instinctively hunched over, feeling a cold sweat run down the back of their neck.

“I…”

“Seo Jeongseo is really good at dodgeball. If we have Jeongseo on our team, we’ll definitely win,” said a bespectacled boy sitting in the front row of the third group.

Others quickly chimed in with agreement.

“Right! You wouldn’t want to face Jeongseo on the opposing team.”

“If Jeongseo’s playing, the other teams might just give up out of fear.”

Laughter broke out as a few students made comments that could be taken as either compliments or insults.

The tense atmosphere quickly dissolved, and soon, everyone was looking at Jeongseo with the same eager eyes they had used on Pyo Yoontae earlier.

Feeling the pressure, Jeongseo finally murmured, “Then… I’ll play.”

Although most of the students didn’t hear the soft reply, Pyo Yoontae let out a quiet laugh and nodded at the class president on Jeongseo’s behalf.

Jeongseo’s flushed face and slightly puffed cheeks were visible to anyone nearby.

“Alright, Jeongseo’s in for dodgeball. And no one tells the other classes, okay? We can’t let them know about our secret weapon.”

Jeongseo never imagined being treated like this.

It felt oddly satisfying, like their chest was swelling with pride and they were floating a little.

“You’re amazing, Jeongseo.”

When Pyo Yoontae playfully touched the back of Jeongseo’s neck and complimented them, Jeongseo couldn’t help but smile bashfully.

“Thanks.”

Pyo Yoontae’s eyes flickered as he quickly licked his lips, as if suddenly thirsty.

He dropped his hand from Jeongseo’s neck and turned his gaze toward the front of the classroom.

“…No problem.”

At that moment, the bell rang.

“Alright, if you need to go to the bathroom, now’s the time!”

Feeling the urge to get some fresh air, Jeongseo stood up and glanced at Pyo Yoontae.

“Yoontae, are you…”

“Pyo Yoontae! Come over here for a second!”

A group of students near the teacher’s desk gestured for Pyo Yoontae to join them.

As he got up, he lightly tapped Jeongseo on the top of the head.

“Go on.”

“Oh, okay!”

Though a bit disappointed, Jeongseo understood it was probably about the sports festival, so there wasn’t much to do but head to the bathroom.

Just as they were about to enter, Jeongseo stopped in their tracks.

There stood Hayan, the class president of Class 5, with fluffy white hair and piercing eyes behind round glasses.

Since their emotional encounter last time, Jeongseo hadn’t run into Hayan much, so the sudden sight of his was a surprise.

Jeongseo realized he was blocking the entrance and quickly stepped inside, standing next to Hayan.

Afterward, he took off his glasses and carefully cleaned the lenses.

Seeing Hayan’s bare face for the first time, Jeongseo was quietly impressed.

“Your eyes are really big and pretty.”

Without his glasses, Hayan’s eyes seemed so large, almost taking up half his face, enhanced by his long eyelashes.

Jeongseo thought to himself that the phrase “looks like a doll” must have been made for Hayan.

While vigorously wiping his glasses, Hayan let out a small laugh.

“What are you talking about?”

Hayan put his glasses back on and leaned against the bathroom stall wall, looking at Jeongseo.

Jeongseo, who thought he would leave right away, tilted his head in confusion.

“Why are you still standing there?”

“Aren’t you here to wash your hands? Hurry up so we can leave.”

“Oh!”

So he was waiting for me!

Jeongseo’s face brightened, and he hurriedly scrubbed his hands and dried them with tissue.

He hadn’t expected Hayan to wait for him, so with a beaming smile, Jeongseo cheerfully called out, “I’m done!”

His voice echoed in the bathroom, and Hayan, slightly frowning, waved his hand as if telling his to hurry and leave.

“Has your class picked the sports day representatives yet?”

“Yeah, we decided yesterday.”

“Being class president must be a lot of work.”

“I can’t just sit back and take credit without doing anything.”

Even though conversations with Hayan could be a bit difficult, Jeongseo didn’t find it uncomfortable.

“What event are you doing?”

Without thinking, Jeongseo almost blurted out “Dodgeball!” but quickly covered his slightly open mouth with his hand, unsure of what to say, just staring at Hayan.

He couldn’t bring himself to lie because he had been taught since childhood that lying was a terrible thing, but it was also hard to say he wasn’t participating.

Though Hayan narrowed his eyes in suspicion, he didn’t press any further.

“If you don’t want to say, don’t. I don’t even understand why we have to have a sports day in the first place.”

“You don’t like sports day?”

Jeongseo was surprised because most of the students, including those in their class, seemed to enjoy it.

Then again, thinking about it, Hayan was someone who prioritized studying, so it made sense that he might not care for events like this.

“It’s noisy, hot, tiring, and I just don’t like it. I’ll probably just do the warm-up exercises and head back to the classroom. Do you enjoy it?”

After a moment of thought, Jeongseo nodded.

“Last year, I didn’t really do anything, so it was just okay. But this year, I think it’ll be fun. It doesn’t seem like my classmates dislike me as much as before.”

As Jeongseo recalled the time they picked the dodgeball players, a small smile crept up on his face. Hayan noticed but said nothing.

As they walked back down the hallway towards their class, an awkward silence fell between them, and Jeongseo kept stealing glances at Hayan.

“If you have something to say, just say it. Stop trying to read the room.”

For some reason, both Hayan and Pyo Yoontae seemed to share this trait.

Their personalities were so similar—why did they dislike each other so much? “Self-hatred,” Jeongseo thought, recalling the term suddenly, but the sharp gaze from Hayan made his cheeks flush, prompting his to speak quickly.

“Between you and Pyo Yoontae, I think you’re the grumpier one.”

“Last time in the hallway… I was just wondering if you’re okay…”

Even after asking, Jeongseo immediately regretted it, nervously gauging Hayan’s reaction.

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