Chapter 30: Choosing club activities

The scorching summer passed, and the wind turned cool.

The autumn leaves scattered on the schoolyard floor signaled the arrival of fall.

‘My relationship with Seo Yuna was kept at an appropriate distance, and I was getting along with Kim Harin without any particular issues.’

‘If things continued like this, I might be able to get through the academy until graduation without much trouble.’

While I was lost in such thoughts—

“Kim Dohyun.”

A familiar voice called out.

“Why?”

I turned my head to look at Yuna.

“What club activity are you joining?”

‘Ah, has it already come to that time?’

At the start of the semester, we were given a grace period to adjust, but now it seemed we had to choose.

‘What a hassle.’

Without much thought, I replied to her question.

“The library club.”

At that moment, Yuna’s eyes widened in surprise.

“The library club? Not the soccer club?”

I was already getting enough exercise after school at the boxing gym.

More than anything, I disliked sweaty places.

‘If it were a fragrant flower garden, I might consider it.’

In the original story, the protagonist joined the design club to follow Seo Yuna.

Considering her personality, which loved crafting and creating, the design club was a perfect match.

Normally, the protagonist’s fate was to stick by her side, acting as her lackey to build favor.

‘But I don’t have to do that.’

It’s best to join the quiet library club and read light novels.

“It’s just peaceful, that’s all.”

“Wow, that’s unexpected.”

Yuna scratched her head with a baffled expression.

Just then, a voice came from behind us.

“The library club?”

A girl with short black hair and a cold expression approached.

Her school uniform clung tightly to her frame, similar to Yuna’s.

When I turned, Choi Dabin stood there with a surprised look on her face.

“You’re joining the library club?”

‘Why was she so surprised? Did I look that uncultured?’

Tilting my head, I replied to her perplexed expression.

“It’s just peaceful, that’s all.”

“Unexpected.”

“What is?”

“It just doesn’t seem to suit you.”

That comment felt unfair.

For someone passionate about light novels, being told books don’t suit me is ridiculous.

‘She’s the one who seems less suited for it.’

I imagined Dabin reading a book.

Tucking her short black hair behind her ear and flipping through pages calmly—

It unexpectedly suited her.

Seeing Yuna deep in thought, she casually remarked, “Dabin, didn’t you say you wanted to join the library club too?”

At Yuna’s words, Dabin shrugged a shoulder coolly.

“Yeah, I’ve always liked reading.”

***

Creak—

The classroom door opened, and our homeroom teacher, Yoo Jeonghwan, entered.

“I’m going to hand out the club application forms now, so everyone fill them out.”

He placed a stack of papers on the desk and emphasized the importance of club activities.

“You’ll be required to participate in the afternoons, so don’t choose carelessly and end up regretting it.”

Groans erupted across the classroom.

“Ugh, this is so annoying.”

“Do we really have to join a club?”

I glanced at Yuna and Dabin.

Yuna smirked and declared, “I’m joining the design club.”

Dabin, looking conflicted, answered, “I’m planning to join the library club.”

Then, both of their gazes shifted to me simultaneously.

Without hesitation, I responded.

“The library club.”

Yuna burst out laughing.

“Seriously, the library club?”

I shrugged.

“Yep.”

With a subtle expression, Dabin murmured, “I see…”

As soon as I received the club application form, I finished filling it out in one go.

[Library Club]

It was the perfect choice for spending time quietly.

***

The cool autumn breeze flowed through the open window.

Looking out, Park Youngha sipped her coffee.

‘Kids these days don’t understand the joy of reading.’

The library club required minimal effort.

All she had to do was oversee students reading, occasionally checking book reports.

‘At least, that’s how it’s been until now.’

‘After last year’s graduates left, no students applied for the library club.’

‘If no one joined again this year, the club was destined to be dissolved.’

‘Not that it matters, but it was convenient while it lasted.’

Even if the club was dissolved, it wouldn’t impact Park Youngha’s daily life much.

However, when she first heard the news of the club’s potential closure, there was an odd sense of emptiness.

‘The number of kids who like books seems to be dwindling.’

While lost in thought, the door to the teacher’s office opened, and Yoo Jeonghwan, the homeroom teacher of Class 1-B, entered.

“Ms. Park, here. The club activity application forms.”

“Application forms?”

Park Youngha looked up at Jeonghwan.

With a playful smile, Jeonghwan placed the stack of papers on her desk.

“It’s the list of students who applied for the library club. Take a look.”

“Don’t tell me we actually have members this year?”

Jeonghwan shrugged and replied, “See for yourself.”

Youngha picked up the papers with a puzzled expression.

The first name on the list was Choi Dabin.

‘Choi Dabin? She’s the daughter of that company president, isn’t she?’

Her eyes widened for a moment.

A student often proudly mentioned by the academy principal.

‘The one the principal was so fond of, talking about how a donation came from her family.’

It was surprising.

You’d think someone from a wealthy family would focus on socializing, not joining a quiet club like this.

‘And she’s pretty too.’

‘Was God really unfair?’ Such thoughts crossed her mind as she turned to the next page.

The second name was Kim Dohyun.

‘Kim Dohyun?’

The name wasn’t unfamiliar.

After a moment’s thought, she remembered.

‘Ah, that kid.’

The student who had caused a commotion during supplemental class by punching Choi Sunghum.

Despite the incident, his demeanor had left an impression.

‘Good-looking, with a personality that doesn’t tolerate injustice.’

For him to apply to the library club—

Youngha tilted her head, finding it hard to understand.

He didn’t seem like the bookish type.

Jeonghwan, amused, watched her and commented, “Both of them are surprising, right? I was shocked too. I thought Kim Dohyun would definitely join the soccer club.”

Placing the papers back on the desk, Youngha chuckled softly.

“Well, it’s good news for me. At least the library club avoided being dissolved.”

***

The Hanbit Academy library.

As soon as I stepped inside, the faint scent of old books greeted me.

Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with volumes showing the marks of time.

I walked slowly along the shelves, scanning the titles.

[Complete Collection of Classical Literature]

[The Aesthetics of 19th-Century English Novels]

[Basic Principles of Philosophy]

‘So boring…’

I couldn’t find the book I wanted.

Determined to meet my goal, I began meticulously searching every corner of the shelves.

‘Light novels, where are you? Show yourselves!’

They are a legitimate form of literature, after all.

Eventually, I stumbled upon a section packed tightly with thin books.

The covers featured colorful illustrations.

Exactly what I was looking for.

‘Nice!’

I grabbed a book and checked the title.

[The Delinquent Swordmaster of the Magic Academy]

[The Widowed Beastwoman and the Ephemeral Lover]

[How I Became the Ultimate Bread Shuttle in Another World]

Though there was something odd among the titles, I was fairly satisfied with the selection.

As I examined one book closely, a familiar voice called out from behind me.

“What are you doing?”

Startled as if caught at the scene of a crime, I spun around.

Embarrassed about reading light novels? No, not at all. I’m proud of it.

The problem was the specific book in my hands.

Driven by curiosity, I had picked up [The Widowed Beastwoman and the Ephemeral Lover].

‘Why… Why now, of all times?’

Choi Dabin stood there with her arms crossed, her eyes narrowed as she looked at me.

“Hmm… Is that your taste?”

Hurriedly, I hid the book behind my back and shrugged.

“Just looking around.”

Hearing my weak excuse, Dabin slowly approached me.

She snatched the book from my hand and began reading aloud in clear, deliberate tones.

“In the valley of the luscious cow beastwoman, as her moans of desire—”

“Stop!”

“Ha!”

Dabin stifled a laugh but suddenly froze, closing the book and glancing over the shelves.

In the silence, the door creaked open.

The familiar face of the teacher who had supervised me during that incident with Choi Sunghum appeared.

Park Youngha placed her bag on the desk and slowly looked over at us.

“Pick a book you like and sit down.”

Following her instructions, Dabin and I quietly searched the shelves.

After some thought, I chose a book titled [How I Became the Ultimate Bread Shuttle in Another World].

Dabin picked [The Poet Above the Clouds], which practically screamed boredom.

As I was about to sit down, Youngha’s eyes locked onto the book I was holding.

“Where did you find that? Did you bring it from home?”

I pointed to a corner of the shelf.

“It was stuck back there.”

Youngha frowned slightly, examining the cover closely.

“A graduating student must have left it behind. Books like this aren’t allowed in the academy.”

Her words hit me like a truck.

‘Not allowed? Does that mean reading light novels in the library club is forbidden?!’

Damn it, this was the entire reason I joined the club!

My despair must have shown on my face because Youngha smirked.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. Reading anything helps improve literacy.”

Relieved, I felt like bowing in reverence to her.

‘What a truly understanding teacher. Thank you for your mercy.’

“Thank you.”

“If you come across any words you don’t understand, feel free to ask.”

As she spoke, I opened the book and flipped to the first page.

‘Of course, the protagonist gets hit by a truck at the start. A classic.’

And so, the day in the library club began.