Down in the school building's main lobby, many people were already unloading a massive amount of book boxes.
"Ah. Teacher Jeong Chaeyeon from Class C. You can take all the boxes we've gathered here."
A middle-aged male teacher overseeing the scene guided us to a pile of book boxes.
There were quite a few types of basic textbooks, more than expected.
"Thank you. Kids, be careful with your backs when lifting the boxes, and let's pair up two by two to carry one each."
I went first to lift one; it was heavy but not too burdensome, so I decided to carry it alone.
"J-, Ijin. Isn't it heavy alone? Want me to help?"
I answered Lee Sea's question calmly.
"It's fine. Just the right weight."
"Okay..."
In the end, Lee Sea, with her hands free, carried one box with the homeroom teacher.
"This isn't right..."
I ignored the mutter from behind.
We moved the boxes in two trips and distributed the textbooks one by one.
The cool feel of the new books and their odd artificial smell felt good.
Pressing my cheek against the tower of books stacked on the desk was perfectly comfortable for my height.
"Ah. So cool."
As I pressed my cheek as close as possible to the books, apparently making a funny face, Lee Soyun giggled.
Then she pressed her face to the books just like me and looked my way.
"Yeah, new books feel so cool. Makes me feel great."
Her small face, with its delicately clustered cute features, turned toward me.
Our eyes met for a moment, and my face heated up, so I adjusted my sitting posture.
"Check if the number of distributed textbooks matches. Write your names on them so you don't lose any, and if something's missing later, come to me to get it."
Teacher Jeong Chaeyeon looked around and continued.
"Then, finally, about your biggest interest: after-school activities."
Teacher Jeong Chaeyeon picked up the remote and turned on the large TV mounted on the classroom corner ceiling.
She then operated the computer on the podium to bring up a PPT.
"All Dawn High School students must participate in at least one after-school activity. Freshmen can freely experience them for two weeks starting today, so try out as many clubs in fields that interest you as possible. You have to decide after the two weeks."
Even just the major club types shown on the PPT numbered dozens.
Dawn High School probably has an enormous number of clubs for almost anything imaginable.
Dozens of small clubs form and disappear every year.
This after-school activity system is Dawn High School's identity.
"Some of you came to Dawn High thinking about which club to join, and some didn't. If you need advice on club selection, come to me anytime. Don't hesitate."
After speaking, the teacher played intro videos for some major clubs.
There was a sports club video that made Hong Yeonseo's eyes sparkle.
The Cooking Club that drew Lee Sea's interest, the Literary Creation Club that Lee Soyun was thinking of joining, and so on.
The Subculture Club I had in mind didn't have its own video, probably because it was small.
As expected, subculture isn't popular in this world. Is it because reality is a romcom?
Well, considering the heroines' looks, reality might be more appealing here.
"Hey, Yoon Jiu. What are you gonna do?"
"Me? I'm thinking... Academic Advancement Class."
"Studying doesn't suit you at all. Why not check out something like Recreation Club or Fashion Model Club?"
"Urk, really? I'll think it over."
Still, if he joins Academic Advancement Class, he'll probably hang out with Seong Yurin.
That might explain why I didn't recognize Seong Yurin with him.
They don't have much connection in class, but they could have met and gotten close there.
After the intro videos, Teacher Jeong Chaeyeon returned from stepping out briefly, carrying stacks of handouts to distribute.
They listed small clubs not featured in the PPT or videos, complete with locations.
While everyone checked the handouts, the teacher posted a large sheet of paper next to the blackboard.
"Attention! Here's the basic class schedule—everyone check it. Normal classes start tomorrow, so keep that in mind. That's it for today!"
- Wooow~
Cheers erupted from the excited classmates thrilled that school ended early.
"Ah, class president and vice president, come see me before you go!"
Leaving the students packing their things, Teacher Jeong Chaeyeon took Yoon Jiu and Lee Sea out.
"Wonder if it'll take long?"
"Probably not. Let's follow and wait."
I grabbed Lee Sea's bag that she'd left behind and followed them.
Lee Soyun followed behind me.
"Ijin, Soyun. See you tomorrow! Ijin, see you in the morning too!"
"You two, bye."
I loosely waved back to Hong Yeonseo and Seong Yurin's farewells, which showed their personalities.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
As expected, calling the class president and vice president was no big deal; it wrapped up quickly, and we all headed home together.
Yoon Jiu, hyped about leaving school earlier than expected, suggested going downtown to hang out, but I turned him down.
"Ah. I'm tired from going to school after so long, so I'll rest early today."
"If Ijin isn't going, then I..."
"Eek. Everyone? Too bad."
I sent Yoon Jiu and Lee Sea off first in front of their neighboring houses, then parted from Lee Soyun at the final fork in the road before returning to my quiet home.
From morning until now—a short time, yet the first day of school felt incredibly long.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
...Come to think of it.
Our group was pretty famous in the neighborhood.
Our visuals being what they are, almost everyone around here knows us.
Even strangers can't help but stare at Yoon Jiu and the heroines.
And when we're all together, we stand out even more.
That's why hanging with these guys can feel burdensome sometimes.
Of course, it's fun being with them, but I don't enjoy all the stares.
"..."
So yeah, meeting up with four unique beauties from the crack of dawn draws massive attention.
Fortunately, it's early morning, so there aren't many people around.
Yoon Jiu, where are you, what are you doing...
This morning, I miss Yoon Jiu, the gaze magnet who draws stares in our place.
I turned away, inwardly cursing Yoon Jiu, who was probably still sprawled out asleep at home.
"What's got you two out here?"
"We're high schoolers now, so we're refreshing our mindset. A healthy body houses a healthy mind, right?"
"...You'll bail after a few days anyway."
"Ugh. I'll give it my best shot?"
"M-me too."
Yeah, you two try hard. Wonder how long it'll last...
Lee Sea caught my eye—her hair not hanging naturally like usual, but tied back once at the nape so it wouldn't get in the way while running.
The temperature had risen moderately, but still.
Her light outfit for easy movement seemed a bit chilly in the low-sun morning.
As she tilted her head to stretch, her previously hidden nape line refreshingly flaunted its charm.
Beside her was Lee Soyun, bundled up tight in training clothes.
She's always been super sensitive to cold.
I grabbed her arms like a puppet and stretched them out long since she wasn't doing it properly.
Next to them, Seong Yurin and Hong Yeonseo were warming up.
They'd seemed on bad terms yesterday, but whatever happened, they were now helping each other stretch.
I rolled my stiff neck to loosen it and finished my stretches.
"Let's go. About 20 minutes out and back."
Naturally, I took the lead and started moving my legs.
"If it's too fast, say so."
Alone, I'd have sprinted full throttle to build stamina, but with the others, I couldn't.
I glanced back now and then, adjusting my stride accordingly.
Hong Yeonseo, with the best stamina, ran fiercely like she was flying, clearly itching for more intensity.
Seong Yurin kept pace while looking after Lee Soyun.
Lee Sea wasn't falling behind either, so this speed seemed okay.
Or so I thought, not long after.
"Huhak... Hek..."
...How many minutes had we run? Even taking it easy, Lee Soyun was panting hard.
It was just to wake up lightly and enjoy the fresh morning air.
Seeing her gasping like she was dying made me feel unnecessarily guilty.
"S-, sorry. My stamina's no good."
Lee Soyun took the water I'd brought, caught her breath, and apologized to everyone.
"I'm fine. Just out for some morning air, that's all."
"Yeah. No need to apologize, Soyun."
Not just Lee Sea—Hong Yeonseo and Seong Yurin consoled her too, saying they were okay.
"I'm good too. Catch your breath, walk a lap, then head back."
"Mm."
And so, our high school lives began.
...For the record, Lee Sea and Lee Soyun stopped showing up after three days.
Such unpersistent bunch.