Chapter 9 - The Clubs

Choon Hee sneakily peeked inside the SC club room, she was spying on how well their recruitment was going. She leaned at the door but it burst open revealing Min Jung and two other club members. Fortunately, she maintained her balance and managed to stand straight chin up.

"I was just passing by," Choon Hee casually explained as they stared at her accusingly.

"You're spying on us, right?"

"Spying?... What? Me? Spying? Why should I, ah wait-"

While denying, Choon Hee caught a glimpse of a familiar student inside the SC Club, she was one of the students Ming Hao had on their list.

"-Who's that? Isn't she freshman Kim Seung Hee?" Choon Hee asked, more to herself. Min Jung just shut the door in front of her and posted a paper on the peephole of the door to block the view from the outside.

"Omo, Jin Ae should know this!" she fumbled over her pockets to get her phone.

* * *

"Ah, what's this? Are you planning to read all these?"

Jeong Won complained as Jin Ae kept on adding books for him to carry, the stack reached his chin already. When Jin Ae turned around suddenly, she collided with him and he lost his balance. He fell with the books all over him.

A student attendant came to their rescue and offered to help them in carrying the books. He assisted them on the nearest table.

"I was watching you a while ago and wondered why you're taking so many books," he started saying.

He smiled gently which Jeong Won find hard to return while he caught Jin Ae returning the smile easily.

"Ah, I'm doing some research," she answered.

'Research?' Jeong Won unbelievably exclaimed to himself.

'I asked her so many times but she wouldn't tell me,' he mumbled to himself and glared at the student assistant.

"I always visit the library but it's the first time I've met you here. I've never seen you around either. Are you a transferee... Park Jin Young?" While saying his name, she hinted at his bar pin.

"Yes. I'm a sophomore from Sonam High School."

Jeong Won stopped shortly and tried to remember where he had heard his name because it sounded familiar.

"Can I be of any help?" he asked.

"Sure!" Jin Ae replied brightly.

And they both sat down without even glancing at Jeong Won. Just then Jeong Won remembered where he had heard his name. He glanced at Jin Ae who glanced at him in return, giving him a smirk.

Struck, he realized what was happening. Jin Ae was out here to get one of the best students in the school to her group. She must have known that he was a student assistant in the library and used the chance to charm him.

And then suddenly, his imagination went wild…

"Ah, why are you staring at me, noona?" Jin Young asked, his cheeks blushing.

She kept on staring at him in amazement, "How could someone look so manly while scanning a book?"

Jin Young chuckled shyly and said, "Noona is so beautiful!"

She laughed coyly and stared at him sadly suddenly, "I want to stare at such a handsome face every time but..."

"Why not noona?"

"-I have to be with my group as an Elite group leader so..."

He clasped his hand on hers suddenly and exclaimed, "Noona! Let me join the elite group! I swear I'll be a good member! I'll be with you all the way."

"Really?" Jin Ae’s eyes twinkle more brightly.

He nodded and Jin Ae smiled, their faces started to get closer and closer and...

Jeong Won cut himself from his trance and shook his head off from the nasty feeling. They noticed him and turned their heads, staring at him.

"Yah! Are you sleeping?" Jin Ae said in a betrayed tone. They were both busy scanning the books. Just the opposite of what he was imagining. He excused himself to take a pee but when he reached the corridor, he leaned on the wall and peek on the two who were still seriously checking on the books. He brought his cell phone out and called Hyun Seong.

"Hyun Seong-ah, please tell this to Min Jung. Forget about Park Jin Young. Just get the other transferee... Huh? I have to go there?.... wait.... okay, okay. Bye."

He glanced at them one last time and although he didn't want to go yet, he left.

Jeong Won entered the SC Club room and found the members waiting for him. He sat on the nearest chair and faced them. Min Jung turned to face him.

"What did you find out now?"

He took a heavy breath as heavy as how he felt so guilty of getting inside information from the Elite Group. Yes, he confidently took the position and promised to spy on the elite group for their advantage. He was full of determination that day. But nowadays he felt different, just different. He was confused at the same time.

"The elite group has already started approaching their prospects, they're making it inconspicuous that they didn't have an idea they're biting their hook. I think it'll be hard for us to get Jin Young so I think we have to focus on the other students who weren't approached by them at this moment."

"I knew that Jin Ae wasn't the type of person who knows how to ask. The elites were too proud to approach somebody and we'll use that as an advantage. Did you get some information about their prospects?"

Jeong Won considered the question for a moment. Early this morning when he was about to enter the elite group room, he accidentally heard their conversation. Now, he was having second thoughts to reveal it.

"There's this sophomore transferee, this Ming Hao guy was talking about. They seem eager to recruit him but Jin Ae told them to focus more on the other students."

"Who? Did you get his name?"

"Lee MyungSoo of 2-A. A transferee from Sonam High School like Jin Young. I heard he is a piano protege and he should be more likely in the music room during free time."

Min Jung smiled and turned to the secretary.

"Find a record about Lee MyungSoo of 2-A. If Son Jin Ae was hesitant of him then there must be something."

* * *

A beautiful melody could be heard playing in the music room. Two gentle hands fiddling the piano keys with prowess. The silhouette suddenly stopped and opened his eyes, murmuring to himself.

"Why hasn't she come yet?" he murmured impatiently.

Then continued to play the piano at a quicker pace in agitation.

* * *

Jeong Won walked blankly in the hallway. Instead of feeling happy for the commendation he got from the members, he couldn't help but still feel bad. Consoling himself didn’t help either. He was drowning in thoughts when suddenly he was hit by a hard object thrown on his chest- his bag. He only noticed that Jin Ae was in front of him when she spoke:

"Yah! how could you leave just like that!" she said in a slightly raised voice.

He stuttered, "Ah, my classmate called me... and told me.. to come quickly, we have to rush in completing our project."

He darted his eyes somewhere else trying not to look her in the eyes. Despite that, Jin Ae stared at him more intensely.

"Do you want to know something?" she said suddenly.

With that, he looked at her.

"You- are not really good at lying," she said, and then she turned her back to him and started to walk ahead in a huff.

"Project," she echoed in sarcasm.

He let out a big sigh and ran after her, hanging his bag on his shoulder.

"Also, what on earth is in your bag! It's so heavy!" she continued complaining while walking ahead of him.

Because of that, he tried to grab her bag pack off her shoulders.

"I'll carry your bag in return."

"No. I don't let anybody carry my bag," she turned her back away from him, still in an upset manner.

He scratched his head, wondering how he could subdue her.

"Treat me black noodles," and she walked faster ahead. He smiled at that and ran to keep her pace.

"Did you know some Chinese restaurants?" he asked.

* * *

Jeong Won followed Jin Ae and they went to a Chinese restaurant just in front of the school. Of how they managed to get out of the school, well, she was Son Jin Ae and nothing was impossible to her. They occupied a table where they had a good view of the track field. As soon as the black noodles were served in front of them they started to eat right away. He found it so delicious while Jin Ae, who seemed to be familiar with the taste, was expressionless.

"Weren't you supposed to say something?" she said. That made him look up to her and swallow the food on his mouth in one gulp.

"Though one of the best ways to make someone feel good is through his stomach. Aren’t words more important to reach someone's heart?" she continued.

'Did someone tell her what I did?' he thought. He cleared his throat and decided to admit it himself.

"I... really felt guilty about it. Although I really don't like the elites, I shouldn't have really gone that far. I'm sorry... I'm sorry for..."

"That's it! This is the first time someone left me without a word and worst, let me carry his bag! Aish!" she complained.

She stuffed her mouth with Chinese noodles angrily.

"Be thankful I don't hold grudges. All the things you did today, I've forgiven it," she said meaningfully and she stuffed another mouthful of Chinese noodles.

This time, on his mouth.

Jeong Won swallowed, staring at her, 'all the things…' he repeated to himself.

A smile formed on his face. He felt unburdened now.

Cut to: Jeong Won carrying Jin Ae's, Choon Hee, In Na, and three more bags on his shoulder and hands; following the whole elite class to the soccer field. Before he could complain, another bag came flying, dropping on his chest.