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Hunter was a child born with everything. He needed to learn that there are things in the world that do not go according to one's will.
No matter how much he possessed, the connections made during this period tended to be less influenced by such things. It was due to the unique innocence of the teenage years.
The experience of having one's dominance overturned by the feeling of liking someone was essential for human growth. Jerard had no intention of blocking such a natural process of maturation.
Just like tennis, romance required practice. Only then could one make a choice without regrets when true love finally arrived.
Jerard carefully chose his words.
[When you become an adult, you'll realize that the connections you make at your age are merely a beginning and a process. What are the odds of marrying a girlfriend you started dating at fifteen? Right? That doesn't mean I'm telling you not to date on purpose, you know? If there's a girl you like, try going on a date. It's fine to date her. You'll definitely learn something from it.]
Hunter opened and closed his mouth a couple of times as if he had something to say, then asked in a nonchalant, indifferent voice.
[Earlier, you said that if you like someone, the body reacts first...]
Jerard barely suppressed the laughter threatening to burst out and nodded with a serious face. So that's what he was curious about.
[Right now, your hormones are raging, so your body can react just by thinking about kissing a girl. Due to the male physical structure, it's designed in a way that makes it hard to hide, so it's bound to be noticed. However, you shouldn't mistake a physical reaction for unconditionally liking someone. For the next few years, you'll react just by seeing a girl in a bikini in a magazine. That is a perfectly natural process, so there's no need to be embarrassed, feel guilty, or take it too seriously. That's all for today. Any questions?]
Hunter, who had been lost in thought with a skeptical expression, slowly shook his head.
Jerard let out an exaggerated sigh—whew—and made a gesture as if wiping sweat from his forehead.
[Let's save the next candid conversation for before your wedding. Have a great time at the party.]
As Jerard patted his shoulder and left the room, Hunter shouted at his back.
[Close the door on your way out!]
✾ ✾ ✾
Spring Fling: a leaping spring, a short and intense romance, or a party held in the spring.
It was hard to find a word that described this party as perfectly as this poetic phrase.
At an age where adolescent hormones peak, gathering these spring-like youths in one place turned the venue into a veritable animal kingdom.
The party, which rented out the entire event hall at 64 Park Avenue, was not much different from an adult party, except for the fact that only non-alcoholic beverages were allowed. Dazzling laser lights spun from the dark ceiling of the vast hall, and the DJ played the latest hot dance music at a volume that made one's ears ring.
Long tables set with catered food were arranged on one side of the party venue, while dispensers of lemonade and mocktails sat on another table instead of wine and cocktails.
On the stage, children pretending to be adults were dancing pressed tightly against each other, mixed chaotically with children who were simply jumping around in excitement. The kids surrounding the ping-pong and foosball tables in layers were boisterous with bets and penalties. A long line of children formed in front of the free photo booth, waiting to take instant photos.
Jiyu and Chloe were preoccupied with watching this spectacle, clutching each other's arms tightly so they wouldn't get separated. The dance party, which they were attending for the first time, was so loud that normal communication was difficult.
[Jiyu, look over there! They're kissing! And it's a French kiss. Ew.]
Chloe shouted loudly into Jiyu's ear. When Jiyu turned her head in the direction Chloe was pointing, she saw a couple kissing passionately, leaning against a secluded corner.
The silhouette of a dirty-blonde girl wearing a short pink dress looked somewhat familiar.
[Boy-crazy Riley.]
The two murmured simultaneously.
As one of the popular kids at Aster School, the partner seemed to be a boyfriend she had recently started dating. She had had a constant stream of boyfriends since the fifth grade.
The two of them walked around the event hall once, sightseeing here and there, before joining the edge of the stage. They danced facing each other with awkward movements, then looked at each other and burst into embarrassed laughter.
[Chloe, I don't think this is working.]
[Right? Let's just go take some pictures at the selfie booth.]
The line in front of the photo booth was even longer than before. Since it was one of the most popular attractions along with the ping-pong table, the line continued to grow behind them as soon as they stood at the end. The wait time seemed to be at least twenty minutes.
Actually, that was better. It was far more comfortable to be an observer than an active participant.
'If I had been born in the 19th century, I would have been called a "wallflower" or a "bluestocking," wouldn't I?'
While those might have been insulting nicknames for 19th-century women, Jiyu felt that she would have been quite satisfied with such labels even if she had been born then.
Perhaps because she came with Chloe, this chaotic party wasn't as bad as she had expected.
'Though I don't think I'd come again.'
Since the value was in the experience, once was enough.
[Olivia, what should I do? I think I need to go to the bathroom. Will there be enough time?]
Chloe wrinkled the bridge of her nose, looking troubled.
[It's fine. Don't worry and just go.]
[Should I bring some drinks when I come back? I'm starting to get thirsty.]
[Lemonade for me! Thank you.]
[Got it, I'll be right back!]
Jiyu waved back at Chloe, who waved while walking away with quick steps. Just then, the crowd surrounding the ping-pong table thinned slightly, and Hunter's face became visible.
Jiyu stood on her tiptoes slightly with a curious gaze.
The area around the ping-pong table was crowded with popular kids from various schools who all looked similar. Sienna and her group were standing right behind Hunter, cheering him on like cheerleaders.
Watching more closely, she saw that he held the paddle in his right hand and had his left hand behind his back. It seemed a handicap had been given to him, being a tennis player.
Seeing him return the ball with a faint smile, it seemed he was enjoying the handicap himself. With his personality, he would find it boring if he won too easily.
'Even though he knows how to use both hands.'
Although the power and accuracy were slightly lower than his left, Hunter had consistently practiced using both hands since he was young. However, because he hit forehands with his stronger hand, he had simply become known as a lefty. Thus, tying his left hand was not a significant handicap.
Unless they blindfolded him.
As Jiyu chuckled, her eyes met Hunter's, who had just scored a point with ease and was high-fiving a friend. His eyes widened slightly, then narrowed as he scanned her. Jiyu avoided his gaze, pretending not to have seen him. Then, she subtly pulled down her skirt, which was a bit too short.
At that moment, someone came and stood in front of her. It was a boy she didn't know.
[...Olivia, right? From the Neverland Kids.]
Looking closely, she vaguely remembered him. He was a student from Alton School who had shared a single line of dialogue next to her during the joint musical in the 6th grade.
He had been much smaller than Jiyu back then, but he had grown quite a bit since; she almost wouldn't have recognized him if not for the thick glasses and the bushy eyebrows that met between his eyes.
[Uh... Hi, um, your name is... Steve?]
[Phew, thank goodness. You remember. My name is Steven. I'm really sorry, but could you give me your number?]
Jiyu blinked, looking at him with a wary expression.
My number, just like that?
[Why...?]
Steven quickly looked around and confessed with a desperate expression.
[Actually... I made a bet with my friends to get girls' numbers, and only I and that guy over there haven't gotten any. The last place has to do the 'Kiss or Slap' penalty, and I absolutely cannot do that.]
[Oh dear...]
'Kiss or Slap' was a kind of party game and penalty where one approaches any member of the opposite sex, says "Kiss or Slap," and either receives a kiss or a slap on the cheek.
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