Tennessee's Room
After Park Ji-hoon left, Tennessee sat alone in the empty room.
He hadn't noticed it earlier.
When he turned on the light, there were remnants of a game poster that had once been stuck on the wallpaper.
"…!"
What if Park Ji-hoon saw that?
Tennessee instinctively came up with an excuse.
'I didn't even put up the poster in the first place.'
He could just claim it was left by the previous occupant.
But that thought was fleeting.
Tsk.
How long was he going to keep this up?
A bitter smile crossed his face.
Tennessee slowly walked over to the tightly shut wardrobe and opened the door.
Maybe he had shoved things in too hastily.
Things spilled out onto the floor.
He didn't bother picking them up and instead stared at the mess for a while.
He didn't need a friend.
He only needed shares in the company that made "DQ."
Yeah, with just that… he could pass the time alone without any trouble.
But the problem was—
'Even if you know everything, partnerships still fall apart. Isn't that how it works?'
The fact that Park Ji-hoon had reached out first.
"Tch."
He'd said he didn't need investors.
So why was it like this?
Getting to be a shareholder was so complicated.
If he'd suggested rugby, he would have turned it down without a second thought.
But… what Park Ji-hoon had mentioned was weight training.
"Hm."
Tennessee slowly rotated his arm.
Thud.
His body seemed stiff, and a heavy sound came from his shoulder.
'Weight training is essential for health and maintaining dignity.'
Yeah, that's right.
Even if Park Ji-hoon hadn't suggested it!
He had been planning to do some weight training anyway.
Even without the whole "friend" thing!
He had been planning to visit the gym soon.
That aside…
'Since we're friends now, I'll ask him for one more favor.'
That guy, he sure was bold.
When he had asked for help with weight training, he even went as far as to ask for a favor before leaving.
Well, that favor was something he had planned to do reluctantly at his family's suggestion… so, if you think about it, he wasn't exactly agreeing with Park Ji-hoon's request.
'Tch.'
Since it came up, should he just do it?
Tennessee pulled the desk clock he had shoved into the wardrobe.
The Super Mario clock pointed to 7:45 AM.
In front of the advanced class homeroom teacher Gary Pink's office.
Knock, knock.
Had he arrived too early?
There was no response to his knock.
Knock, knock.
This time, just as he was about to turn away due to the silence…
"Come in."
A soft voice came from beyond the door.
Click. Squeak.
"Hmm?"
The teacher, spotting Tennessee, immediately jumped to his feet.
Then, he hurriedly moved around the desk toward Tennessee.
"What's going on? Why? Is there something uncomfortable?"
"No."
"Then? What can I help you with? Just say the word. That's what I'm here for, to help students."
"I'm fine. It's not that."
"..."
"I came because I have something to ask."
"Well, sit down and we can talk…"
"It's something simple."
"Oh, is that so?"
It seemed like Gary wanted to win some favor, as a deep look of disappointment crossed his face before he spoke again.
"Alright, what's the matter?"
"I want to run for student body president in the first year."
"Huh?"
It must have been an unexpected statement.
From what Gary had gathered, Tennessee had been a quiet student who never took the lead.
"You want to run for president… of the student body?"
"Yes."
"You'd have to represent the first-year students at meetings, and there's quite a bit of hassle involved. You're aware of that, right?"
"..."
When Tennessee didn't answer, the homeroom teacher studied his expression.
Although Tennessee clearly looked like he didn't want to do it, perhaps he was just trying to put on the appearance of standing his ground.
Gary probably assumed it was something his parents had pressured him into doing.
It was a look that seemed to suggest he was making an educated guess.
"Do you have a vice president candidate? As you know, the president and vice president need to run together as a pair."
"Yes, I do. I have a candidate."
"Who?"
"Peter Vint."
"I didn't know that. I didn't realize you two were so close."
"..."
"You know the first campaign promise has to be included on the ballot, right?"
Tennessee nodded.
"So, what's the first promise?"
At this point, Tennessee quietly looked down at his feet.
As if having trouble speaking, he opened his mouth slowly but deliberately.
"My campaign promise is to hold a tryout competition for the first and second-year students to compete for a spot in the rugby tournament."
"Huh? What does that mean?"
"..."
"I don't really understand."
Had his defense mechanisms kicked in?
"Do I have to explain the promise too?"
Tennessee asked the question with a sharp edge.
"Oh, no, not at all."
The homeroom teacher shrugged and gave a forced smile.
***
At the same time.
Ralph, the vice captain of the rugby club, let out a long sigh as he stared at the pile of magazines.
He had heard that the Queensman copies sold out quickly.
"..."
It seemed that Carl had only managed to take a third of the magazines.
And that was only because the second-years had forced themselves to take one each… the other grades hadn't even glanced at them.
Ralph squeezed his eyes shut.
It was obvious that Carl would be throwing a tantrum and venting his frustration.
Just thinking about it made his head start to throb.
The worst part was that it wasn't over yet…
'Why is Tennessee even running for the election!'
What's worse, his first campaign promise was about organizing a tryout between the first and second years.
'The captain already refused to hold the tryouts.'
So why did Tennessee still make it his campaign promise?
'The freshman is openly defying us…'
If he ignored it, he'd lose face as an upperclassman.
But if he accepted the challenge, he'd have to turn Tennessee into an enemy.
The more he thought about it, the more stuck he felt.
Carl's antics would only escalate the situation.
'Dammit.'
How was he supposed to handle that hysteria?
"Hah."
And that's when it hit him.
Desperation leads to ideas.
An idea popped into his head that seemed plausible.
He didn't have the reason to reject Tennessee's proposal, nor the guts to accept it.
'Then, why not just make the competition fall through?'
His brain was working in overdrive, something unusual for him!
Yes, if trouble arises again between the seniors and juniors…
And if it eventually leads to a major disciplinary committee meeting…
'Forget the tryouts or whatever, everything's going to fall apart.'
Heh heh heh.
Of course, there are risks involved.
'The juniors are the ones stepping in to save the day.'
Carl would never ignore it either.
Perhaps because he was thinking about solidifying his position further.
Ralph quietly lifted the corner of his mouth into a grin.
***
After school, at the fitness room.
Devon had a meeting in the evening, so he called us an hour earlier.
He didn't tell us what the meeting was, but judging by how much winter gear he had packed… It seemed like he was planning to spend the night outside the Queensman store.
Anyway, since there was no time to waste, the workout was even more intense.
"Are you going to get up or what?"
"Ughhh."
"You can whine all you want, but get up now!"
He had said it would be a warm-up.
But if this was harder than the actual training, then what's the point of the warm-up…?
Was it because the ultimate big-size exercises were right in front of me?
"Can't do it? Why? Should I do it for you?"
Devon seemed to be fully charged with dopamine.
"You better push it!"
That's for the teacher only…
"Why can't you do this? Push! Push! Push!"
Thanks to him, we were totally worn out in less than 30 minutes.
Ughhh.
There was still plenty of time before Tennessee was supposed to show up.
"Don't save any energy for your fork, finish it all!"
At this rate, we'd be done with the workout before he even arrives…
After pushing ourselves relentlessly for another 15 minutes…
"Park Ji-hoon."
"..."
I didn't even have the strength to answer, only barely moving my lips.
"I told you earlier, right? I have an appointment."
Devon pulled some bills from his pocket and handed them to me.
"Today, you two go get something to eat on your own."
When I didn't respond again, he stuffed the money into my pocket.
Was he feeling sorry for me?
It felt like he gave me more than usual…
'Is that really important right now?'
I, of course, couldn't even say thank you properly, and neither could Jack.
But that didn't matter.
"I'm leaving now."
Devon packed up his things and quickly left the fitness room.
Ah, I just want to take a shower and lie down in my room.
Maybe I pushed too hard.
The urge to just sleep here was overwhelming.
How long had it been like this?
Suddenly, loud footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Then, the door was forcefully swung open.
I barely lifted my head, and one by one, six figures loomed over us.
Among them, there was a familiar face.
Was it Ralph?
The vice captain of the rugby club, just as huge as Devon.
At first, I thought they might be here for some exercise, but the way they were looking at us didn't seem right.
Indeed, Ralph's eyes gleamed as he spoke.
"All the people desperate to be famous are gathered here, huh?"
Then the guy behind him chimed in.
"Yeah. They said they're here for an interview, and everyone's acting crazy."
Why had they suddenly barged in and started talking like that?
Instead of getting angry, I focused on understanding their intentions.
Meanwhile, their mouths never stopped.
"Is this the guy who had trouble with the second-years?"
"Yeah, Jack. That's him."
"Maybe he caused a ruckus just to get attention?"
If their goal was to lynch us, they would have attacked by now.
But since they were just talking nonsense?
It was clear they came to provoke us.
That made sense because…
"Hey, why aren't you answering?"
"Is your dad a middle-ranking politician?"
They were clearly targeting one of us, and it seemed like they were trying to provoke Jack, knowing how hot-headed he was.
The only good thing was…
"..."
Jack, for once, didn't react at all and kept his cool, not even moving a muscle.
It was a relief he didn't lose his temper.
Perhaps because we didn't respond, they started getting even more impatient.
Their chatter continued.
"I don't think it was about wanting attention… it was more like he got bloodlust."
"Bloodlust?"
"They said his family's military, right? When the chance to stab someone came up, his body probably reacted first."
"Yeah, he's not even in the draft, yet he volunteered to fight…"
"Fighting for his country, huh? More like he got a license to kill and wanted to put a hole in someone's head."
"How do you know so much?"
"I've watched a few documentaries on serial killers."
They had clearly crossed the line.
If they were going this far, they were probably prepared to go all the way.
I stood up before Jack did.
Jack had already been referred to the disciplinary committee before.
If he caused more trouble, there would be no coming back from it.
"Why? Is your family military too?"
"Oh, I thought you were a goody two-shoes, but your eyes are cold as ice."
"Want to fight? Sure, go ahead. I've been thinking it might be fun to spend some time in the hospital."
If we fought here, we'd only be giving them what they wanted.
I needed to hold my ground without getting caught up in this.
Can I manage that?
Just as my mind was racing…
"What are you doing here?"
A voice came from the entrance.
The figures in front of me blocked my view, but…
Tennessee?
I could immediately recognize his distinctive old-fashioned tone, typical of the Grosvenor family.
The same went for them.
The large figures turned in shock when they heard his voice.
"Do you have business with my friends?"
Tennessee glared at them and asked.