Spheres- Duty After School (EDITING)

(1.2)

Ji-Eun's Pov

As soon as Ms. Park left the classroom, a wave of movement swept through the students. They stood up from their seats, gravitating towards their friends, engaging in animated discussions about the unexpected turn of events. I, however, remained seated, my focus on the information laid out on the paper before me.

In contemplation, I weighed the decision to participate, my mind wrestling with the pros and cons. On one hand, my own experience could potentially make the training less daunting. On the other hand, thoughts of my older brother surfaced, and a sense of responsibility to stay by his side tugged at me.

Considering his protective nature and training, I found myself torn between the desire to be there for my brother and the opportunity to use my skills in a potentially challenging situation. The room buzzed with discussions, but I sat in thoughtful silence, grappling with the choice that laid ahead.

 After careful consideration, I found myself convinced to undertake the military training. Determinedly, I continued filling out the various questions on the sheet of paper, providing affirmative responses that I would participate. However, I came to a pause when I reached the section requiring a parent or guardian's signature, my pencil momentarily hovering above the paper.

The thought of involving my family in this decision seemed to give me a pause, adding a layer of complexity to my choice. I deliberated, my expression unreadable, as I contemplated of seeking approval for this unconventional path. 

Spheres- Duty After School

"An unprecedented national defense crisis," Deok-Joong read aloud from the sheet of paper to Chi-Yeol. The weight of the words seemed to dawn on them as Deok-Joong exclaimed, "This means there's going to be a war!"

"No way!" Chi-Yeol responded, his disbelief echoing Deok-Joong's sentiment. "Hey, but why does it have to be the third-grade high school students?" Deok-Joong wondered aloud, expressing the confusion shared by many.

"I know, shouldn't we be exempt since we're taking the CSAT?" Chi-Yeol complained, questioning the rationale behind the decision. Unbeknownst to them, Ji-Eun had been discreetly overhearing their conversation the entire time.

Just as the discussion unfolded, Tae-Man suddenly appeared, leaning on Deok-Joong's shoulder, perhaps with insights or thoughts to contribute to the conversation.

"College admissions is everything for the third year. If extra credit on CSAT is promised, how hard would we work? That's why they chose us," Tae-Man explained, shedding light on the perspective behind the decision. Ji-Eun, quietly observing their conversation, mentally agreed with their reasoning. The weight of the situation became apparent, recognizing the significance of college admissions for the third-year students, and the allure of extra credit on the CSAT served as a powerful motivator.

However, a subtle acknowledgment crossed Ji-Eun's thoughts—the challenge this decision presented for the others who lacked the unique experiences she has.

"Tae-Man, this is the first time I'm convinced by your words," Chi-Yeol remarked, his surprise evident. Tae-Man extended his arm toward Chi-Yeol, and they exchanged a fist bump, a moment of camaraderie in the face of uncertainty.

"They wouldn't suddenly start a war, would they?" Deok-Joong pondered aloud, attempting to make sense of the unfolding situation. "Against who?" Tae-Man questioned. Deok-Joong responded with a nonchalant gesture, pointing at the floating spheres. "Against them," he clarified.

"Against them?" Tae-Man repeated, a hint of skepticism in his voice. "Yes," Deok-Joong affirmed. "Come on. It's embarrassing to fight balloons," Tae-Man declared. Deok-Joong mulled over the statement, considering the peculiar nature of the adversary they might be facing.