I Became an Artist in a Romantic Comedy

Chapter16: A Young 10-Year-Old, and a New Friend (5)

“……”

First, let me tell you about the current situation.

“What the heck is this…”

…there’s nothing to say. Really, what is this…

“Ha-eun, you’re here?”

Ha Soyeol stood up from her seat and approached me.

Usually, we’d come to school together, but today was my regular check-up day, so we came separately.

“How’s your health?”

“Same as usual. But why is the class atmosphere like this?”

It’s lunchtime. Usually, it’s a time when kids run around and have fun.

Why is everyone down in such a gloomy mood? Did someone die?

Even the lively ones are quietly sitting at their desks.

‘What’s going on? Am I seeing things?’

“There was an incident this morning. The kids got scolded as a group, and now, don’t even mention it.”

Choi Yeseo grumbled, frowning.

“The homeroom teacher and the vice-principal came in together this morning.”

Looks like something went down during the morning assembly.

“And before you came, the teacher stopped by and said a few things.”

So that’s why everyone looks like this? What could they have said?

“So what happened?”

I asked for an explanation of the situation.

Choi Yeseo looked like she was wondering how to explain it.

Ha Soyeol, who was listening, decided to explain instead.

“School violence, they say.”

“Oh.”

Is it about yesterday’s incident? Honestly, was that really a problem?

Wasn’t that just a prank?

“What? You know something?”

Choi Yeseo looked at me with curious eyes.

I shook my head, feigning ignorance.

“No, I didn’t hear anything in particular.”

“Tsk, too bad.”

What’s too bad about it, you dummy.

“But is it just our class like this?”

Is it the same in the other classes? It was quiet when I came in, though.

“It’s not just our class. All grades got scolded.”

…Was school violence that severe?

I was still trying to wrap my head around it when I caught someone’s gaze in the corner of the classroom.

“…?”

It was the kid I saw yesterday. The chubby one from the teachers’ office.

The kid who met my eyes quickly turned away. Wait a minute.

‘What’s with his face?’

Yesterday, he looked like he just had a bit of a swollen look, at best.

But now, his face was bruised and covered with cuts. What the heck happened?

He was perfectly fine just yesterday.

Ha Soyeol and Choi Yeseo followed my gaze.

They both nodded and led me over.

After I sat down, Ha Soyeol continued explaining the situation, in a barely audible voice.

“His name is Kim Byung-jun. They say he got beaten up on his way to school today.”

Byungjun? Is his name Byungjun?

Half the semester has passed, but I haven’t bothered to remember the kids’ names.

Why bother? I only remember the names the teachers call out often.

I haven’t heard the names of the quiet kids sitting in the corner, like me.

Byungjun’s seat was right by the back door of the classroom, next to the cleaning supply closet.

‘Oh, why do I feel like crying?’

But setting that aside, why would he get beaten up on his way to school?

“There’s a middle school right next to our school.”

“Yeah, so?”

Choi Yeseo looked distressed.

“Apparently, Kim Byung-jun has been lying a lot.”

“…So?”

“He lied to some middle schoolers, but it looks like he got caught.”

What exactly have you been doing, Kim Byung-jun?

Neither of them knew the specifics. Only Byungjun and the middle schoolers lied to know the details.

Oh, and the teachers at each school probably know too.

“What a mess, especially right before the closing ceremony.”

“Yeah…”

Ha Soyeol didn’t show much emotion, but Choi Yeseo looked quite dejected.

“Why do you look so down?”

“Because of this incident, the closing ceremony got postponed to next week.”

I could see why she was down. The school might even call for a disciplinary committee.

It’s probably postponed because of that. It’s only from Friday to Monday, though.

Can’t we just come for one more day?

As we talked, lunchtime ended before we knew it.

“Oh, Ha-eun, you’re here? Are you feeling better?”

“Yes, nothing’s wrong.”

Even though I’m lying.

“Good. If you feel sick, make sure to visit the nurse’s office.”

The homeroom teacher warned me as the bell for the fifth period rang.

Since the exams are over, they’ll probably show a movie during this period.

According to Ha Soyeol, they were watching a movie just before lunch.

The kids, who were loosening up from the morning incident, were enjoying the movie.

But after the movie, our vice-principal showed up again.

He gave another “motivational” speech before leaving. I’m not sure if it was a speech or a scolding.

Apparently, there was some issue with the middle school next door. I wouldn’t know.

After all, the one who got hit was a student from our school. Even if he did lie, he’s still only ten years old.

Kids who think they’re immune to punishment are terrifying.

As expected, the teacher played the movie, and the kids began watching or chatting.

At this age, the mood quickly picks up once it lightens a bit.

Of course, not everyone is like that, but most are.

With nothing else to do, we watched the movie.

Knock-knock.

An elderly man knocked and entered the classroom.

He whispered something to the homeroom teacher and called Kim Byung-jun.

“Oh, uh… what’s happening now?”

We watched him go, but it had nothing to do with us.

Byungjun left with the two adults.

The class was silent for a moment but soon resumed its liveliness as if nothing happened.

As we focused on the movie again…

“Ha-eun, come here for a moment.”

The homeroom teacher returned and called for me.

“…This is one strange event after another.”

Ha Soyeol and Choi Yeseo looked at me, puzzled.

They watched silently and then said,

“Go on.”

“I’ll fill you in on the movie.”

That’s a spoiler, you idiot. I couldn’t help but laugh at their nonsense.

I casually waved my hand, signaling I’d be back, and stepped out.

The homeroom teacher awkwardly smiled.

“Eun, you’re not in trouble. Got it?”

“If I haven’t done anything wrong, then I guess I’m not.”

“Exactly~.”

The teacher patted my head reassuringly.

“Just go and see for yourself, Eun.”

I guess Byungjun and the middle school students are there.

But why would they need me? My curiosity was soon resolved by the teacher’s words.

“…Byungjun dragged your name into this.”

I realized it wasn’t meant literally.

In other words, Byungjun mentioned me. But did I ever have a confrontation with him?

‘Wasn’t yesterday the first time?’

Guess I’ll find out when I go.

The teacher led me to the principal’s office, a place I’d never been before.

After a few knocks, we entered to see several people inside.

The old lady from yesterday, Byungjun, a man who looked like his father, the principal, and the vice-principal.

Important figures from each school. Lastly, the middle school students and their parents.

The first sound I heard was Byungjun’s mother, still as furious as yesterday.

The only difference was that her face seemed ready to burst from anger.

Surprisingly, the man who seemed to be Byungjun’s father was quiet.

Everyone’s gaze turned toward me. Wow, this is a bit intimidating.

Are they just going to have me stand here?

Right on cue, the principal approached and spoke.

“Are you Ha-eun?”

“Yes, I am Ha-eun.”

The dignified principal continued.

“I didn’t call you here to scold you. We just need to verify some facts.”

“Yes, well… I’ll tell you what I know.”

“Thank you.”

The principal started asking me questions.

The questions weren’t anything special.

‘These are all things I don’t know. How can I answer?’

So most of my responses were “No” or “I don’t know.”

As I was responding…

“Don’t lie! You did it!”

Byungjun suddenly shouted. What did I even do?

Puzzled, I asked,

“You—you asked me to bring my phone last week!”

…last week?

“When last week?”

“Wed—Wednesday, no, Thursday evening.”

Tsk, too bad. If you’re going to lie, do it right.

“I was at my sister’s daycare talent show at that time.”

“Th—that’s a lie!”

“Byungjun, stop it.”

The man standing behind Byungjun, his father, covered his mouth.

“This matter has nothing to do with that child. But Byungjun kept dragging them into it.”

He apologized with a nod toward me.

“It’s fine. I don’t feel guilty or anything.”

I waved my hands to reassure him. Though his wife and son were like that, he seemed like a decent person.

I guess Byungjun was trying to pin it on the easiest target in the class—me.

After all, I’m weak, quiet, and usually stay in the corner.

I probably looked like easy prey.

But too bad, there’s a grown man’s mind in this ten-year-old body.

No matter how many schemes you pull, I’m not afraid of a kid.

If you lie impulsively, what’s your plan for the aftermath?

“Ha-eun isn’t involved in this matter. We already have all the facts from this morning.”

But they still brought me here because of Byungjun’s ridiculous insistence.

“We thought if Eun could say something clear, Byungjun might give up.”

The teacher sighed.

“Rather than giving up…”

Though she didn’t say it, I knew it was a dangerous thought.

“Sorry, Eun. I caused you trouble for no reason. But he kept insisting on involving you…”

“It’s okay. May I go back now?”

“Yes, let’s go back together.”

Since Byungjun is in our class, I’d have to come down again anyway.

Even with that hassle, the teacher escorted me back.

Getting caught up in an incident I knew nothing about.

It’s not something you experience every day~.

“Oh?”

As we were going back, the teacher suddenly looked at her phone.

“…Eun, it seems like things are escalating.”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

“Here…”

She showed me her phone.

[Eun’s Mother: My husband will take leave and come too. He says he wants to hear the story.]

[Eun’s Mother: It’ll take about 30 minutes. See you soon.]

It was a very business-like message. Was my mom always this cold?

Above it was a record of all previous messages.

Since my name was mentioned, it seems the teacher had explained yesterday and today’s events.

“Um, this feels ominous.”

“Eun, watch your language. But yes…”

We looked at each other and sighed simultaneously. Why isn’t this going smoothly?

The teacher sent a message back to my mom.

“Guess we’ll have to go back down?”

“Yeah… looks like it?”

She took me back down.

When we returned to the principal’s office, everyone’s eyes were on us again.

The principal and vice-principal looked puzzled, and the teacher explained.

After listening, they slapped their foreheads in exasperation.

“Yes, of course, we need to inform Eun’s parents as well.”

A shadow fell over the principal’s face as he said this.

Technically, I wonder if it was even necessary to inform them.

“Regardless, Eun is a victim in this matter.”

…Am I? A victim of what?

‘In a way, I am a victim.’

I lost my time. What a mess. Ah, Choi Yeseo is going to spoil everything.

“I’m fine with it.”

But my words were met with indifference.

Now that it had escalated to an adults’ argument, there was no room for me.

‘…Dad might get mad about this.’

I sat in the noisy corner of the principal’s office. No need to involve myself further.

When Mom and Dad arrive, I’ll just say a few words and be done with it.

It didn’t take long to realize how wrong I was.

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