Yuna took a deep breath before pushing open the glass door of the internet café.
A small bell rang.
Ding.
The moment she stepped inside, her eyes widened.
"Whoa…"
The café looked much better than she expected.
Warm yellow lights filled the room, rows of modern gaming computers lined the walls, and colorful posters of famous games decorated the place. There was even a snack counter filled with ramen, chips, and drinks.
Yuna slowly turned around, amazed.
"This place is so cool…"
Inside her mind she thought happily.
I thought it would be some old dusty computer shop.
But this looks like a professional gaming café.
She walked a few steps inside and called out,
"Hello? Is anyone here?"
A moment later a girl came out from the back room.
She looked about 24 years old, with long brown hair tied into a ponytail and a calm but energetic expression.
She smiled politely.
"You must be the new part-timer."
Yuna quickly bowed.
"Yes! Hello! My name is Seo Yuna!"
The girl nodded.
"I'm Han Soojin, the manager here. I'm 24."
She extended her hand.
"Nice to meet you."
Yuna shook it nervously.
"Nice to meet you too!"
Inside her mind she sighed with relief.
Thank goodness she looks normal.
Those other job offers online were seriously creepy.
Soojin then handed her a folded set of clothes.
"Here's your uniform."
Yuna looked at it.
A black café shirt and a simple apron.
"Go change in the back room."
"Okay!"
After a few minutes Yuna came back wearing the uniform.
Soojin began explaining the work.
"It's simple. Help customers log into computers, clean the desks, and bring snacks if they order anything."
Yuna nodded seriously like she was being trained for a secret mission.
"Yes, manager!"
Soojin laughed.
"You don't have to sound so serious."
Soon customers began entering.
"Computer number 8 please."
"Can I get ramen?"
"My keyboard isn't working!"
Yuna ran around helping everyone.
She wiped desks, delivered snacks, and even helped one kid restart a frozen computer.
Before she knew it, the clock reached 9:00 PM.
The café became quiet again.
Soojin smiled at her.
"You did great for your first day."
Yuna's eyes sparkled.
"Really?!"
"Yes."
She nodded.
"You're a fast learner."
Yuna bowed happily.
"Thank you!"
Inside her mind she cheered.
YES! FIRST DAY SUCCESS!
---
A little later Yuna left the café and began walking home.
The night street was calm.
She stretched her arms while walking.
"Today wasn't bad."
Inside her mind she smiled.
Nice manager.
Nice café.
Nice job.
Maybe my life is finally becoming normal.
But suddenly—
A shadow moved behind her.
Before she could react—
A hand suddenly covered her mouth.
"MMPH?!"
Someone grabbed her arm and quickly dragged her into a narrow dark alley.
Yuna's brain exploded.
Inside her mind she screamed.
THIS IS IT.
I'M BEING KIDNAPPED.
WHY DID I WALK HOME ALONE?!
I HAVEN'T EVEN PAID MY PHONE BILL YET!
The mysterious person pushed her against the wall.
Yuna suddenly pushed them away and jumped back.
"LISTEN HERE!"
She pointed dramatically.
"I learned KARATE in middle school!"
The person said nothing.
Yuna kept yelling nervously.
"If you try anything weird, I will kick you in a place you will NEVER forget!"
She raised her leg.
"I WILL DESTROY YOUR FUTURE GENERATIONS!"
Suddenly—
The mysterious person started laughing.
Not normal laughing.
Uncontrollable giggling.
Yuna blinked.
"…Why are you laughing?"
The shadow spoke while laughing.
"You really haven't changed."
Yuna froze.
"…What?"
The person stepped into the light.
And Yuna's eyes widened.
Short boyish haircut.
Sharp playful eyes.
A teasing grin.
Yuna gasped loudly.
"WAIT—"
"ARE YOU—"
The girl crossed her arms and smirked.
"Long time no see, Yuna."
Yuna pointed at her dramatically.
"LEE HARIN?!"
Harin nodded proudly.
"The one and only."
Yuna stared at her.
"You still haven't grown your hair?!"
Harin shrugged.
"It's my style."
She grinned.
"People think I'm a boy all the time."
Yuna sighed.
"Well… you literally look like one."
Harin laughed.
Then Yuna suddenly remembered something.
"WAIT!"
She pointed accusingly.
"WHY DID YOU ATTACK ME LIKE THAT?!"
Harin tilted her head.
"I was just teasing you."
"You covered my mouth and dragged me into a dark alley!"
"…Okay maybe I overdid it."
Yuna groaned.
"I almost kicked you into the hospital!"
Harin laughed again.
Then she leaned closer.
"Actually I came to tell you something."
Yuna narrowed her eyes.
"What?"
Harin grinned mischievously.
"I'm transferring to your high school."
Yuna froze.
"…WHAT?!"
Harin nodded.
"You got in with good grades."
"And you know I'm also good at studying."
"So I passed the transfer exam."
Yuna suddenly screamed happily.
"REALLY?!"
She immediately hugged Harin.
"FINALLY!"
They jumped excitedly.
"After one year we're together again!"
Harin laughed.
"Same class too."
Then Harin asked curiously,
"So tell me."
"How's your high school life?"
Yuna slowly began explaining everything.
The Elite Seven.
Jihun.
Scarlet Shadow.
The investigation chaos.
By the end of the story—
Harin was laughing like crazy.
"HAHAHAHA!"
Yuna pouted.
"Stop laughing!"
"You're coming to that school too!"
Harin wiped tears from her eyes.
"Your life is literally a drama."
Yuna sighed.
"I know…"
After a while they said goodbye.
"See you tomorrow."
"Goodnight."
They walked in opposite directions.
---
The next morning at school…
The teacher entered the classroom.
"I have an announcement."
The class looked up.
"We have a new transfer student."
Yuna already knew who it was.
She smiled excitedly.
The classroom door opened.
The student walked in.
But the moment Yuna saw them—
She fell off her chair.
"THUD!"
Everyone stared.
Yuna pointed forward with shaking hands.
"Y-YOU?!"
She started hiccuping.
Because Harin was standing there.
But she was wearing…
A BOYS' SCHOOL UNIFORM.
The whole class whispered.
"Is that a boy?"
"Transfer student?"
Harin smiled confidently.
"Hello everyone."
"My name is Lee Haru."