Imperfectly Perfect (MiChaeng SaTzu)

72 : The Familiar Guy

Chaeyoung and Mina are now inside the school cafeteria. Unfortunately, since it is a Sunday, the food available on the menu has been limited hence the only remaining option for them was the vending machines.

"We can go outside the gates and buy something more decent at the convenience store." The soccer ace starts, obviously trying another one of her games in making Mina stay with her longer. "There's ramen there if you want something hot. There are rice meals if you want something heavier. We can also stroll around the area if you want to try something new."

The council president just continuously shakes her head with all the offers.

"Oh, come on! We'll take the shortcuts this time! I promise. We will be out and about within minutes and you won't even notice—"

"Nope. Not this time, Son Chaeyoung." Mina points a finger to her. "Your tactics are not going to work on me this— AH!"

The council president was abruptly bumped by a tall guy in a black hoodie, cap, and sweatpants.

"Hey, watch it." Chaeyoung mutters to the guy while holding Mina's shoulder in support of the supposed fall.

"I'm— I'M SORRY!" The guy began to bow nonstop in an apologetic tone. "I wasn't looking my way. I'm really sorry!"

"No, no. It's fine." Mina repositions her footing to stand flatly on the floor and consecutively smiles at the guy reassuringly. "I'm okay. Nothing bad happened."

When the guy heard the council president's voice, he immediately halted his movements and stopped apologizing. He slightly raised his cap and peeks to maybe get a better view of Mina's face. He obviously began staring at her, looking astounded.

Mina remained silent while also staring back at the guy in confusion.

Then, the guy mumbles in a manner like he was falling in a daze. "Myo— Myoi Mina?"

"Yes?"

Chaeyoung who is standing on the side now has her eyebrows scrunched. Her line of sight is rapidly traveling from the council president to the guy who just bumped her and vice versa.

"You— You're really Myoi Mina." He gasps and stays silent again for another minute. Since the moment he moved his cap upwards, he seemed to have never blinked and never averted his gaze away from the council president.

The soccer ace who is still standing to the side has now her eyes glued to the guy, glaring daggers at him. From how hostile her face is showing right now, she might as well be beating the guy up in her mind, targeting his sensitive body parts with flying soccer balls that she has kicked with all her might.

Mina hesitatingly nods, still looking confused with what is happening. "Sorry. I don't want to sound rude, but do I know—"

And Chaeyoung decided to loudly clear her throat and finally cut in, making her presence suddenly be known to the other two students. Right after, she flashed an obviously forced, fake smile to them.

The guy's daze was successfully interrupted since he quickly pulled his cap back, down to his eye level. He glanced at the soccer ace nervously, then bowed one last time at Mina before hastily walking towards the cafeteria's exit.

He even bumped into a table's corner on his way out. It surely hurt the guy's waist, slowing him for a second as he held it but it surely did not stop him from continuing to pursue his way out of the place.

Chaeyoung followed his departing figure while wearing an annoyed look. "I don't like that guy."

Mina promptly chuckles at the soccer player's reaction. She gently cups Chaeyoung's cheeks and carefully pulls the smaller girl's head to face her, making her avert her gaze from the guy's retreating figure. "I already told you earlier that I'm fine. I wasn't hurt because you caught me before I fell."

"Tsk." The soccer ace scoffs, evidently still not in the best mood. "Do you know that guy?"

"No. Why?"

"Haven't you noticed how he was suddenly like in some dreamland the moment he heard your voice? He looked like he knew you."

"Ahh." Mina looks at the ceiling and pauses for a moment. "Now that I think about it... I think he actually looks familiar. But I don't think we should put more thought into it. Maybe he's also just another student leader from one of the school clubs... and I happen to see his pictures in one of the organizational charts and so did he."

Chaeyoung simply nods. She then moves her head again to squint in the direction where the guy just went. He was already nowhere of sight but she still menacingly glared at the door he just exited.

"Heyyyy." The council president faintly laughs. "What is with this behavior, huh? What's the matter with my baby cub?"

Shortly after, the soccer ace slowly draws a smile to her face and finally faces Mina on her own accord. "What— What did you call me again?"

Mina flashes her gummy smile and playfully scoffs. "I just tried it but I can't believe it actually worked. How gullible could you be?"

Chaeyoung smugly shrugs. "I don't care about being gullible if it's you. So..." She reaches out for the council president's hand. "What did you call me again? I promise to not think of that guy for even a nanosecond if you address me like that one more time."

Mina simply rolled her eyes. She then started walking towards where they were headed earlier to the vending machines, dragging the soccer ace using their interlocked hands.

"Minari!" The soccer ace shakes their connected arms. "Come on, Minariiii. Call me that again."

"Nope." The council president replies in a tease. "That endearment is valid only for just once a day."

Chaeyoung cheerfully smirks. "Does that mean I can hear it again tomorrow?"

"Ahh. Wait." Mina sarcastically continues. "Let me change the frequency to once a week."

"WHAT? You're starting to sound unfair!"

The council president giggles. "Then, how about once a month?"

"You really—"

"AHHH. I think I've just decided to now use it only for emergency purposes." Mina flashes a naughty grin. "You know, when I need to have the upper hand."

"Minari!" The soccer ace whines to which the council president simply laughed at.