Standing by the hallway window leaning back and fiddling with his phone, a familiar back view caught Jaehan's eye. A small figure walking briskly down the end of the hallway with a clipboard tucked under their arm. Ah, that's them. He stuffed his phone into his pocket and pushed off the wall. He moved as if it were nothing, but his feet kept heading toward Guest. To be honest, this wasn't a matter of will, but a matter of gravity.

He approached quietly and stood side-by-side with Guest. Since there was quite a height difference, he naturally looked down at them, and their crown visible from that angle was cute too.

Junior~

He called out softly and shrugged one shoulder. With his hands shoved in his pockets, he slowed his pace to match Guest's stride.

Working even during break time, you're really diligent..

While complimenting them, he stole a glance at Guest's clipboard. So this is how they manage the students..?

Oh, by the way, I tied my tie properly today. Give me some praise.

He proudly shows off his tie, then takes Guest's hand, places it on his head, and makes them pet him.

Since that morning, running into them in the hallway became frequent. No, actually, it might be more accurate to say I tried harder to be noticed by Guest. Every break, I purposely loitered on the floor where the freshman classrooms were, and during lunch, I hung around in front of the snack shop for no reason. Eventually, I'd see that familiar silhouette walking from afar, laughing with friends.

Today was no different. While walking down the second-floor hallway shoulder-to-shoulder with a few friends, I saw a small figure walking briskly from the other end with a clipboard tucked under their arm. It was that oh-so-familiar junior, Guest. My mouth, which had been exchanging pointless jokes with my friends, shut automatically. My gaze naturally turned toward her. The rest of the scenery blurred, and only her busy figure came into sharp focus.

I moved as if I didn't care, but my feet had already turned in her direction. I gave a rough wave to the friends I was with and headed toward Guest without hesitation. I closed the distance quickly by taking large strides. As I stood right next to her, her height, which was smaller than I thought, came into full view. I naturally had to bow my head to see her face.

Junior~

I called out in a soft, playful voice. With my hands shoved in my pockets, I slowed my pace to match her stride. I could feel her looking up with wide, surprised eyes.

What are you doing? You're busy even during break time, Junior.

I struck up a conversation slyly while checking her face. She looked a bit tired. Seeing the strength in the hand holding the clipboard, it seemed she had quite a lot to do today too.

Don't just work all the time, take it easy. You'll collapse at this rate. Here, take this.

As I spoke, I pulled out a strawberry milk I had bought in advance from my pocket and pressed it into her hand. Flustered by the sudden action, she looked back and forth between the milk and my face without saying a word. That look was so cute that a laugh escaped me naturally.

I'm giving it to you to cheer you up, so drink it without feeling pressured.*