This chapter has lots of Sakura's inner thoughts. They're marked with ‘  ’

'I've been watching the store a lot of times. By sitting here, I can see everyone's reading habits.’

For example, Yena only reads comics.

*Yena running to the cashier with new comics in hand

“This comic is so good!” She beamed with excitement.

“Really?” Sakura mused.

“Is this month's issue out yet?” Hyewon asked.

“Yes, it's here,.”

Hyewon only buys novels by her favourite authors and even subscribes to literary magazines. She's her  store’ regular customer.

“Can I use this book coupon?” The senior shyly asked.

“Of course!” 

Kei Senpai, she only buys new releases and books with good reviews.

And then here comes Eunbi.

“I'll take these,” Eunbi put down the books on the counter.

Kwon Senpai usually buys study guides and best sellers.

‘Uraniwa no yuri’ on the table.

Sakura gasped internally. The novel starts out as a male-female dramatic romance, but halfway through it switches to a girl on girl story. I've heard about it. And there also seem to be some pretty intense scenes too. 

Why did Kwon have to buy it here? And why buy it on her shift? 

As expected, Kwon Eunbi is a ert! 

“Hm?” Eunbi smiled at the junior.

Sakura snickered, ‘She must be having fun watching my reaction.’

“Is there anything wrong?” Eunbi asked.

“N-No…”Sakura faked a smile, “Shall I wrap it?”

Eunbi with her never fading smile towards Sakura nodded, “Yes, please”

Sakura also sported her smile, ‘I knew it! Senpai is a certified ert. If I react, I'll just be giving her what she wants. Just act cool, Sakura.’

At the student council room...

Eunbi was trying hard to convince Sakura that she really bought the book without knowing what's the content. Senpai really did not judge a book by its summary.

“Miyawaki! You have to believe me. I really just wanted to buy a book when you were working. I don't have any ulterior motives. I didn't even know it was that kind of book.”

‘Ahh… this girl is just really clueless’ Sakura chuckles.

**********

Midterms exams will start in less than a month so all the student activities expected to halt.

“So that will be it. For today. Like I said earlier, next week is midterms. So until the exams are done, the student council won't be doing any activities.” Eunbi reminded.

Kei continued next, “As members of the council, please try to get the grades you can be proud of.”

Doujima rubbed his unitchy head, the burden is heavy, “You make it sound so serious. Now this freaks me out.”

Sakura, on the other hand could only sighs, “Exams…… Haish….” 

Sakura bid goodbye to her fellow student council as their meeting adjourned.

Yuta jogged to catch up with the girl.

“Hey, Sakura san,” he called.

“Yeah?”

Yuta lowered his voice and walked closer to the girl, “Are you going to meet with Kwon alone while the student council is on break?”

“No!” Sakura denied, Glaring at the guy.

Yuta gasped, “Why?? Why not?”

“I told you, we're not a couple,” Sakura unawarily pouted.

Yuta chuckled at the denial, “There you go again..”

“Just… Let it go, Yuta san.”

The two kids were unaware of a burning senpai watching their interaction.

Good luck Sakura. Your senpai is 🔥.

In Sakura's class...

Sakura, once again a famous person with lots of thoughts inside her head. She can hardly forget nor can she hardly deny.

Maki’s words from the other day bothering her, “Miyawaki san, you have real feelings for her (Eunbi) too, don't you?”

Sakura was writing whatever things her teacher's were preaching while her eyes glanced over the students that were cleaning up their PE class equipment.

Told you this girl has deep thoughts and the ability to do various things at a time.

Note taking, listening to the teaching, staring into space and wandering her mind.

Sakura puffe, denying Maki’s words.

‘I really don't think that's true. I just worry about her because she's a wreck And I'm the only one who knows it. I'm just a caring person. I think I would do the same even if it wasn't Kwon Eunbi. And that's why what Yuta said is not true’ 

Sakura tried hard to convince herself that she is not feeling anything for the beautiful and kind senior. 

A soft slam jolted the girl out of her thoughts.

“Oi Kang Hyewon!” Their teacher just smacked Hyewon with his book. Soft enough to not hurt her but firm enough to wake the girl up from her sleep.

“Huh!” Hyewon exhaled loud. She's in shock.

“I'm sorry!” Hyewon quickly apologized as soon as she aware of her situation.

“This is going to be on the test, focus!” Their teacher nagged.

The other students were shocked upon hearing that “Eh??” And some even groaned, fml dude~

Sakura could only stare at her best friend, it is so unlike Hyewon to fall asleep during class.

“This is really not the Hyewon I know,” Yena muttered.

“Hyewonnie” Sakura called softly.

“Eh?” Once again, Hyewon got her heart put in grave shock.

“Come on now, we have to go to the lab,” Sakura said.

“That teacher starts right on time. If you're late you'll get in trouble,” Yena warned, trying to scare her.

Hyewon rubbed her eyes and just nodded.

“Sakura… Wait…” 

Sakura turned to face her, “Eh, what's wrong Kangchan?”

Yena shrugged and waved them goodbye, “I'll go first.”

“I want you to read this and tell me waht you think,” Hyewon handed her an envelope. Classified enough.

“Uh what's this?” Sakura took the envelope and opened it.

A bundle of paper bounded by a big paper clip in sight.

“A novel?” Sakura wondered as she read the cover.

“Did you write this Kang chan?”

Hyewon nodded and let out a big yawn, “Yeah, that's why I'm so tired.”

“Huh? HUH?” Sakura's turn to gasp.

“I knew you like novels, but I never heard you were writing one.”

“That's because I never told you,” Hyewon exclaimed.

“Whyy???”

Hyewon shrugged, “Because I don't want to tell you.”

Sakura snickered, “Tchh such a secretive girl. You could've told me sooner.”

“I.. I'm too shy to tell you. I've been writing it all alone for ages,” Hyewon muttered, “But I wanted some feedback before I submit it to the New Writer's Prize”.

Sakura was confused, “And you want my opinion?”

“Yeah, because you read a lot. And don't hold back. Be honest and tell me if you dislike something in it.”

Sakura enthusiastically nodded.

“Uhm it's pretty long. So if you get bored, you can just stop reading it halfway.”

Sakura shakes her head, “No way! I'll read it all! And then I will let you know my opinions.”

Hyewon blushed at the sincerity, “Thank you Sakuchan..”

The bell rang and they're both dead. I mean, they know they're fcked up.

“Yabaii!! We're late!” 

Sakura keeps the book inside her drawer. “Hyewon ah, do you need it in a hurry?” She asked.

“After the exam’s done is fine with me. I'm only asking you now because I already finished writing it,” Hyewon smiled

“Aahh, okay then. Let's go.”

Off they run to the lab~

**********
 

After school...

Sakura was on her cleaning duty today, diligently sweeping the floor and of course, wandering her mind~

‘A novel… If she's submitting it to the contest, she must have intention to become a writer. She already decided on what she wants to be. Hyewon is amazing.’

Her classmate was aware of the lost Sakura.

Sakura shakes her head animatedly to shake off the thoughts.

‘Now isn't the time to be thinking about that Sakura!’

“Sakura,What's wrong?” Her classmate asked.

“Ah? Nothing! I'm sorry.”

‘I should just do what I can right now. And first, the upcoming midterm.’ Sakura warned herself.

“Hey, I was thinking I would do some test review before I go home. Do you want to go to the library?” She asked her two best friends.

To which Yena shrugged her off, “We still have one more week. And if I study now, I'll forget it all.”

‘Oh yeah… Yena's that type…’

“I'm going home to sleep,” Hyewon yawned.

“Yeah, you should get some sleep Kangchan. I guess I'll just go by myself then.”

“See you tomorrow then,” Yena and Hyewon bid goodbye to Sakura and they parted ways.

Walking down the hallway, Sakura suddenly saw Yuta and decided to catch up with the boy, “Maki kun! Are you going home?” 

Yuta stopped and smiled at her, “Yeah. You?”

“I was thinking I'd go study for the exams at the library. Do you want to join? I don't think I can focus on my own,” Sakura indirectly invited the boy.

“Oh, well I guess I will join you.. Uh actually I don't think I can,” the boy's eyes trailed off behind Sakura and she turned around to see what's so intriguing.

“Huh?” The person behind them stopped.

Indeed it is an intriguing view. Eunbi was walking towards the two kids and quickly stopped when they suddenly looked at her, “Uh?”

Yuta, our residen