Translated by: ShawnSuh

Edited by: SootyOwl

"I guess we all failed," Seo Kw.a.n.g said with a sigh . It had been exactly a week since Juho had made the bet with Baron . That meant that the tug-o-war between Baron and the first-years would come to an by the end of that day .

"There's still some time left . "

"It's already over at this point," Seo Kw.a.n.g announced, resting his chin on his hand on Juho's desk . Juho looked around . There were students on cleaning duty cleaning the cla.s.sroom . It was time for club activities . There was no hope .

Despite involving the entire club in that situation, Juho sat peacefully, and Seo Kw.a.n.g stared at him .

"What were you thinking when you made that bet?"

"It was half on impulse . "

Juho knew that Baron was interested in 'Sponge-Cake Girl . ' From afar, she was alone . She was also introverted, yet ordinary . When Juho talked to her for the first time, he had simply been thinking out loud . Seo Kw.a.n.g looked at him in disbelief .

"So, you're telling me that this mischief of yours was on impulse? In the future, don't ever get yourself into gambling . "

"What do you mean 'mischief?'"

"That's exactly what this is . You put your fate in the hands of a second-year whose name you don't even know . On top of that, you got everyone else in the club involved . "

"I suppose it is my bad that I didn't discuss this with others . "

Seo Kw.a.n.g smacked his lips at Juho's apology . Then, he shook his head .

"Well, there wasn't going to be another chance if you failed anyway . He doesn't come across as the type who would give into somebody pestering him, especially after already saying 'No . '"

"I agree . That's why I went all in . "

"You're shameless . "

Juho laughed light-heartedly at Seo Kw.a.n.g's criticism, and Seo Kw.a.n.g stared at him for a while and asked quite seriously, "What would you do if it didn't work out?"

If Juho's plan failed, then bridging the gap between Baron and the rest of the club members would be much more difficult . Mr . Moon had blatantly given them a chance to connect . If they didn't seize that blatant chance, than what followed would be blatant failure .

"Things would be even more awkward between him and the rest of us . "

"That's what I'm saying . You couldn't have jumped in blindfolded . "

Juho felt bad for Seo Kw.a.n.g, but he hadn't planned for the possible failure . That was what it looked like to be impulsive . At Juho's silence, Seo Kw.a.n.g's expression grew darker . 'What to do?'

Juho had experienced countless failures up to the point of being homeless . He was sick of failing at something and he had no intention of reliving such a life . That was the reason why he was pus.h.i.+ng ahead with his impulse .

"You can't do anything if you're afraid of the results . "

There is no way to know the result of something until it reveals itself . That was especially true when it came to changing a person's heart . No matter how much one measured and calculated, they would never reach the answer . That was what made waiting such a nerve-racking event . Nothing was certain .

"I can think of a plan after I fail . "

Juho was certain that there was going to be a way . There was nothing to get out of worrying from that point on . The plan hadn't failed yet . Besides, he had a good feeling about it . 'It'll work out,' he kept repeating to himself .

Seo Kw.a.n.g sneered at him, "Whatever . You owe me bread from the canteen if you fail . "

"I'll buy you a loaf of sponge cake . "

The two stood up from their seats to headed over to the science room . As they were on their way out through the back door, they found Baron standing in front of it .

"Come out for a second . "

At his deep, resounding voice, the students on cleaning duty stopped what they were doing . It wasn't common for Baron to be seen on the first-year's floor . He had never come down voluntarily to see a first-year, until now . Seo Kw.a.n.g pushed Juho from behind . It seemed like he wanted Juho to find out what was going on .

"What brings you here?"

"Why else would I be here aside from that one thing?"

Baron was referring to the bet .

"I'm guessing the result is out?"

"How'd it go? Who won?" Seo Kw.a.n.g asked, but Baron didn't answer . It seemed like he needed to discuss it privately, so Juho sent Seo Kw.a.n.g ahead to the science room .

"Take your time . "

"OK . "

Seo Kw.a.n.g waved, and then Baron went out to the hallway with Juho following him . They remained silent until sitting under the same tree from the day before .

Baron asked calmly, "How did you know?"

It was somewhat of a random question, but Juho understood the gist of what he was trying to ask . 'I had a good feeling about it,' thought Juho .

Then, he exclaimed with a smile, "The sponge-cake girl must have made a friend?!"

"I asked how did you know . "

Baron thought about what had happened three days before . The sponge-cake girl had been talking with a group of people . The next day, and the following day, she was surrounded by people . She seemed happy, laughing and chattering with her friends .

It took less than a week . Just as Juho had said, she had moved on from solitude . Then, there was Baron himself, remaining unfazed by it all .

"You knew it was going to happen too, Baron . " Baron didn't say a word, and Juho continued, "I saw her holding a book when I saw her on the second floor hallway: 'The Trace of a Bird . ' It's a recent best-seller,"

Baron hesitated at the familiar t.i.tle .

"Sponge-Cake Girl has a very introverted personality . Talking to someone first is not an easy task for her . In that case, somebody needs to approach her and talk to her . She had things to talk about all along . It was in her hand . "

Juho thought of the sponge cake he had eaten on the same spot where he was sitting . She had come to show grat.i.tude to a first-year who she hardly knew, even with a small gift . Usually, one would think of a reason to move on:

'I appreciate the help, but I don't know his cla.s.s . '

'I don't know his name . '

'He's in a different grade, so I probably won't ever run into him again . '

It was a connection that could have been easily neglected . On top of that, she was an introvert . It couldn't have been easy to talk to someone who she didn't know .

Despite it all, she had brought Juho the sponge cake . It wasn't likely that a person like that would be left alone . Besides, she had been involved in the drama that had attracted the attention of an entire cla.s.s and proven innocent . It wouldn't have been weird to be approached by at least one person .

"What she needs is something to talk about . "

Then, there was silence, and Baron let out a smirk .

"That was disappointing . "

There was emptiness in his tone . It was an emptiness that came from acknowledgement . Baron, too, had been keeping his eyes on Sponge-Cake Girl . He must have known better than any other person that being a loner didn't suit her .

He seemed like he was thinking of someone when Juho said, "If you're alive, you can make it out . "

That's what being alone was like . A person couldn't live on his own . As long as he was alive, somebody was bound to come by .

At that moment, they saw the Sponge-Cake Girl coming out of the school building with three other girls . Juho called her as he waved, "The cake was delicious!"

"Right!"

She was smiling brightly and actually responding to him talking to her . She had come looking for him after he helped her, and now she wasn't alone .

"I should've tried to talk to her," said Baron . "I wish I had said something to that average Joe . He might have been able to last just a little longer . "

A person couldn't survive on his own . Baron bit his lips .

"It's not your fault, Baron," Juho whispered .

By the time Juho and Baron were the only people left in the yard, the bell rang throughout the entire school .

They headed to the science room . Baron still gave off a brusque impression, but he looked a bit more comfortable . Without saying anything to each other, the two walked up the stairs and went into the science room .

"Baron!"

"What?" Baron answered tiredly .

Ignoring his exhaustion, Sun Hwa continued, "I forfeit!"

"What?"

'What is she saying?' Baron seemed dumbfounded . Next to him, Juho also tilted his head in confusion . It wasn't like Sun Hwa to bring up forfeiting .

Juho thought about explaining the situation to her, but Sun Hwa seemed like she still had things to say . She picked up a comic book . It was the same comic book she had been desperately trying to get Baron to read .

She pointed to Baron with the comic book and said, "It's too late to ask if you can borrow it . Even if you're desperate to write a report on it, it's not going to work . "

"I'm not interested," at Baron's blunt answer, she stepped aside . There was a pile of comic books that were hidden behind her . "What is all this?"

With a satisfied smile on her face, she presented her collection . As she explained each of her comic books with excitement, Baron asked her again, "So what?"

"Let's read them together . "

"I thought you said you forfeit?"

She shook her head at his response .

"These are only suggestions . I want to share this pa.s.sion of mine . "

Baron hesitated . He couldn't think straight . Recognizing his hesitation, Juho replied . "I want to read them too . "

Her eyes lit up, and she smile brightly .

"I knew you'd understand . Comic books are even better when you read it with other people . "

"Then, count me in," Seo Kw.a.n.g chimed in .

"Not a chance," she replied ruthlessly .

"That's not nice . Then, what about that one? You don't need it anymore . "

While Seo Kw.a.n.g and Sun Hwa quarreled over a comic book, Juho took a book from the top of the pike and handed it to Baron .

At Juho's gesture, Baron couldn't help but smile . Then, he pulled out the black plastic bag, full of snacks .

"Here, have a snack . "

"Oh, wow! You really know how to impress us . This bag looks familiar though . "

"Somebody left it on my desk . "

While Bom sat nervously, Baron opened up several packs of snacks and spread them out onto the desk . It was a party . Everyone held a comic book in their hands while munching on the snacks . Reading comic books and snickering together was truly a fun experience .

"I didn't know this was the comic book club . "

"Mr . Moon!"

Mr . Moon came in and looked around the room . The Literature Club had turned into a comic book store . Then, he s.n.a.t.c.hed one of the snacks from the desk and put it in his mouth .

"Hand me a comic book, will you?"

Eventually, the entire club was immersed in comic books .

"Yo, you missed a spot . "

As Juho leaned forward in his seat, a voice sounded above his head . It was obvious who the voice belonged to .

"You mean here?"

Pretending not to understand, Juho took a broom and swept across Seo Kw.a.n.g's feet . There were chunks of hair and dust stuck on the end of the broom . It clearly wasn't well-maintained . Seo Kw.a.n.g jumped up and stepped back .

Juho was in the middle of cleaning the cla.s.sroom . The cleaning rotation was based on the call number . There were three others on duty aside from him . Two of them swept the cla.s.sroom with him, and the other was mopping the hallway . After sweeping for some time, Juho straightened his back . There was no painful groan . It was a blessing to have a young body .

After checking for dust on his shoes, Seo Kw.a.n.g leaned against a desk . Naturally, he opened the book in his hand and started reading . He had a habit of reading whenever there was a chance to . Juho himself was an avid reader, but it was nothing like Seo Kw.a.n.g . 'He's an interesting fellow . ' he thought .

The End

Translated by ShawnSuh Edited by SootyOwl I guess we all failed, Seo Kw.a.n.g said with a sigh . It had been exactly a week since Juho had made the bet with Baron . That meant that the tug o war between Baron and the first years would come to an by the end of that day . There 39 s still some time left . It 39 s already over at this point, Seo Kw.a.n.g announced, resting his chin on his hand on Juho 39 s desk . Juho looked around . There were students on cleaning duty cleaning the cla.s.sroom . It was time for club activities . There was no hope . Despite involving the entire club in that situation, Juho sat peacefully, and Seo Kw.a.n.g stared at him . What were you thinking when you made that bet It was half on impulse . Juho knew that Baron was interested in 39 Sponge Cake Girl . 39 From afar, she was alone . She was also introverted, yet ordinary . When Juho talked to her for the first time, he had simply been thinking out loud . Seo Kw.a.n.g looked at him in disbelief . So, you 39 re telling me that this mischief of yours was on impulse In the future, don 39 t ever get yourself into gambling . What do you mean 39 mischief 39 That 39 s exactly what this is . You put your fate in the hands of a second year whose name you don 39 t even know . On top of that, you got everyone else in the club involved . I suppose it is my bad that I didn 39 t discuss this with others . Seo Kw.a.n.g smacked his lips at Juho 39 s apology . Then, he shook his head . Well, there wasn 39 t going to be another chance if you failed anyway . He doesn 39 t come across as the type who would give into somebody pestering him, especially after already saying 39 No . 39 I agree . That 39 s why I went all in . You 39 re shameless . Juho laughed light heartedly at Seo Kw.a.n.g 39 s criticism, and Seo Kw.a.n.g stared at him for a while and asked quite seriously, What would you do if it didn 39 t work out If Juho 39 s plan failed, then bridging the gap between Baron and the rest of the club members would be much more difficult . Mr . Moon had blatantly given them a chance to connect . If they didn 39 t seize that blatant chance, than what followed would be blatant failure . Things would be even more awkward between him and the rest of us . That 39 s what I 39 m saying . You couldn 39 t have jumped in blindfolded . Juho felt bad for Seo Kw.a.n.g, but he hadn 39 t planned for the possible failure . That was what it looked like to be impulsive . At Juho 39 s silence, Seo Kw.a.n.g 39 s expression grew darker . 39 What to do 39 Juho had experienced countless failures up to the point of being homeless . He was sick of failing at something and he had no intention of reliving such a life . That was the reason why he was pus.h.i.+ng ahead with his impulse . You can 39 t do anything if you 39 re afraid of the results . There is no way to know the result of something until it reveals itself . That was especially true when it came to changing a person 39 s heart . No matter how much one measured and calculated, they would never reach the answer . That was what made waiting such a nerve racking event . Nothing was certain . I can think of a plan after I fail . Juho was certain that there was going to be a way . There was nothing to get out of worrying from that point on . The plan hadn 39 t failed yet . Besides, he had a good feeling about it . 39 It 39 ll work out, 39 he kept repeating to himself . Seo Kw.a.n.g sneered at him, Whatever . You owe me bread from the canteen if you fail . I 39 ll buy you a loaf of sponge cake . The two stood up from their seats to headed over to the science room . As they were on their way out through the back door, they found Baron standing in front of it . Come out for a second . At his deep, resounding voice, the students on cleaning duty stopped what they were doing . It wasn 39 t common for Baron to be seen on the first year 39 s floor . He had never come down voluntarily to see a first year, until now . Seo Kw.a.n.g pushed Juho from behind . It seemed like he wanted Juho to find out what was going on . What brings you here Why else would I be here aside from that one thing Baron was referring to the bet . I 39 m guessing the result is out How 39 d it go Who won Seo Kw.a.n.g asked, but Baron didn 39 t answer . It seemed like he needed to discuss it privately, so Juho sent Seo Kw.a.n.g ahead to the science room . Take your time . OK . Seo Kw.a.n.g waved, and then Baron went out to the hallway with Juho following him . They remained silent until sitting under the same tree from the day before . Baron asked calmly, How did you know It was somewhat of a random question, but Juho understood the gist of what he was trying to ask . 39 I had a good feeling about it, 39 thought Juho . Then, he exclaimed with a smile, The sponge cake girl must have made a friend I asked how did you know . Baron thought about what had happened three days before . The sponge cake girl had been talking with a group of people . The next day, and the following day, she was surrounded by people . She seemed happy, laughing and chattering with her friends . It took less than a week . Just as Juho had said, she had moved on from solitude . Then, there was Baron himself, remaining unfazed by it all . You knew it was going to happen too, Baron . Baron didn 39 t say a word, and Juho continued, I saw her holding a book when I saw her on the second floor hallway 39 The Trace of a Bird . 39 It 39 s a recent best seller, Baron hesitated at the familiar t.i.tle . Sponge Cake Girl has a very introverted personality . Talking to someone first is not an easy task for her . In that case, somebody needs to approach her and talk to her . She had things to talk about all along . It was in her hand . Juho thought of the sponge cake he had eaten on the same spot where he was sitting . She had come to show grat.i.tude to a first year who she hardly knew, even with a small gift . Usually, one would think of a reason to move on 39 I appreciate the help, but I don 39 t know his cla.s.s . 39 39 I don 39 t know his name . 39 39 He 39 s in a different grade, so I probably won 39 t ever run into him again . 39 It was a connection that could have been easily neglected . On top of that, she was an introvert . It couldn 39 t have been easy to talk to someone who she didn 39 t know . Despite it all, she had brought Juho the sponge cake . It wasn 39 t likely that a person like that would be left alone . Besides, she had been involved in the drama that had attracted the attention of an entire cla.s.s and proven innocent . It wouldn 39 t have been weird to be approached by at least one person . What she needs is something to talk about . Then, there was silence, and Baron let out a smirk . That was disappointing . There was emptiness in his tone . It was an emptiness that came from acknowledgement . Baron, too, had been keeping his eyes on Sponge Cake Girl . He must have known better than any other person that being a loner didn 39 t suit her . He seemed like he was thinking of someone when Juho said, If you 39 re alive, you can make it out . That 39 s what being alone was like . A person couldn 39 t live on his own . As long as he was alive, somebody was bound to come by . At that moment, they saw the Sponge Cake Girl coming out of the school building with three other girls . Juho called her as he waved, The cake was delicious Right She was smiling brightly and actually responding to him talking to her . She had come looking for him after he helped her, and now she wasn 39 t alone . I should 39 ve tried to talk to her, said Baron . I wish I had said something to that average Joe . He might have been able to last just a little longer . A person couldn 39 t survive on his own . Baron bit his lips . It 39 s not your fault, Baron, Juho whispered . By the time Juho and Baron were the only people left in the yard, the bell rang throughout the entire school . They headed to the science room . Baron still gave off a brusque impression, but he looked a bit more comfortable . Without saying anything to each other, the two walked up the stairs and went into the science room . Baron What Baron answered tiredly . Ignoring his exhaustion, Sun Hwa continued, I forfeit What 39 What is she saying 39 Baron seemed dumbfounded . Next to him, Juho also tilted his head in confusion . It wasn 39 t like Sun Hwa to bring up forfeiting . Juho thought about explaining the situation to her, but Sun Hwa seemed like she still had things to say . She picked up a comic book . It was the same comic book she had been desperately trying to get Baron to read . She pointed to Baron with the comic book and said, It 39 s too late to ask if you can borrow it . Even if you 39 re desperate to write a report on it, it 39 s not going to work . I 39 m not interested, at Baron 39 s blunt answer, she stepped aside . There was a pile of comic books that were hidden behind her . What is all this With a satisfied smile on her face, she presented her collection . As she explained each of her comic books with excitement, Baron asked her again, So what Let 39 s read them together . I thought you said you forfeit She shook her head at his response . These are only suggestions . I want to share this pa.s.sion of mine . Baron hesitated . He couldn 39 t think straight . Recognizing his hesitation, Juho replied . I want to read them too . Her eyes lit up, and she smile brightly . I knew you 39 d understand . Comic books are even better when you read it with other people . Then, count me in, Seo Kw.a.n.g chimed in . Not a chance, she replied ruthlessly . That 39 s not nice . Then, what about that one You don 39 t need it anymore . While Seo Kw.a.n.g and Sun Hwa quarreled over a comic book, Juho took a book from the top of the pike and handed it to Baron . At Juho 39 s gesture, Baron couldn 39 t help but smile . Then, he pulled out the black plastic bag, full of snacks . Here, have a snack . Oh, wow You really know how to impress us . This bag looks familiar though . Somebody left it on my desk . While Bom sat nervously, Baron opened up several packs of snacks and spread them out onto the desk . It was a party . Everyone held a comic book in their hands while munching on the snacks . Reading comic books and snickering together was truly a fun experience . I didn 39 t know this was the comic book club . Mr . Moon Mr . Moon came in and looked around the room . The Literature Club had turned into a comic book store . Then, he s.n.a.t.c.hed one of the snacks from the desk and put it in his mouth . Hand me a comic book, will you Eventually, the entire club was immersed in comic books . Yo, you missed a spot . As Juho leaned forward in his seat, a voice sounded above his head . It was obvious who the voice belonged to . You mean here Pretending not to understand, Juho took a broom and swept across Seo Kw.a.n.g 39 s feet . There were chunks of hair and dust stuck on the end of the broom . It clearly wasn 39 t well maintained . Seo Kw.a.n.g jumped up and stepped back . Juho was in the middle of cleaning the cla.s.sroom . The cleaning rotation was based on the call number . There were three others on duty aside from him . Two of them swept the cla.s.sroom with him, and the other was mopping the hallway . After sweeping for some time, Juho straightened his back . There was no painful groan . It was a blessing to have a young body . After checking for dust on his shoes, Seo Kw.a.n.g leaned against a desk . Naturally, he opened the book in his hand and started reading . He had a habit of reading whenever there was a chance to . Juho himself was an avid reader, but it was nothing like Seo Kw.a.n.g . 39 He 39 s an interesting fellow . 39 he thought . The Sole Artist in a Literature Club 3 The End