I Became an Artist in a Romantic Comedy

Chapter 19: Sixteen and Growing, Plus a Retreat and a Competition (2)

I gathered the cherry blossom petals and asked the two of them.

“All right, so what should I draw?”

Choi Yeseo was the first to answer.

“Me! Draw an orca for me!”

“An orca?”

An orca, out of nowhere. Does she usually like orcas?

“Orcas are cute. Can’t you do it?”

When I just stared at her in silence, she puffed up her cheeks.

“No, it’s not that. Sure, I’ll do it. What about you, Ha Soyeol?”

“Draw a shark for me.”

You’re always so consistent. At this point, she’s practically a shark enthusiast.

Once I get a request, I’ve got to get to work right away.

Dragging my feet, I moved the petals into position. No need to worry about my shoes; I’m wearing slippers.

I’ve used these for a while anyway and was thinking about replacing them soon.

They’re worn out, so it’s probably time to toss them.

First, the orca that Yeseo asked for.

It’s hard to add color with only cherry blossom petals, honestly.

After all, they’re just pink or white. It’s difficult to capture the orca’s black areas.

But I do have a plan for that too.

As I mentioned, the petals are pink and white. I’ll use the darker pink petals for the black parts.

Orcas have a cross-shaped white patch under their chin and eyes and a white pattern near the fin.

If I were to depict all that, the picture would become too large.

I’m just going for a petite caricature.

I’ll only draw the upper half of the orca.

‘But seriously, where are an orca’s eyes exactly?’

People often mistake the white patches for eyes, but everyone knows those aren’t actually its eyes.

They’re probably around there somewhere, but the black makes them hard to see.

I created an outline with the petals and filled it in. Simple patterns.

A caricature is a very basic drawing, by my standards.

“Wow! So cute! As expected from you, Ha-eun. I had faith!”

Yeseo stood up and took picture after picture of the orca I’d made with petals.

…?

“How do you even have your phone?”

“Hehe. The one I turned in this morning was a dummy.”

“You’re a genius.”

Man, I’m bringing a dummy phone tomorrow. Why didn’t I think of that?

Is this how Newton felt when he saw the apple fall?

Feeling exhilarated, I noticed a few stares from the front.

“…You gonna snitch?”

“Act like you didn’t see it.”

Right, right. Middle schoolers are allowed a bit of rebellion now and then.

Soyeol sticking by me is a relief.

“Hey, are you done taking pictures? I need to make the shark now.”

It’d be annoying to gather more petals, so I’ll just reuse these.

“Yup! Got it all.”

Yeseo gave a thumbs-up, and I scattered the orca petals.

Next up was Soyeol’s request—a shark.

Honestly, sharks are easier than orcas.

I just need to create an outline and add the gills and eyes.

Maybe a scar or two to make it look cool.

It didn’t even take five minutes to make the shark. Since it’s about the size of a torso, it was done in no time.

If it had to be 3D, it would’ve taken much longer. But this is 2D.

“Here, the shark’s done too.”

Soyeol got up to take a look, showing a faint smile that meant she liked it.

She asked Yeseo to take a picture for her.

‘Looking at it now, these could sell well as stickers.’

It’s cute enough to appeal to people who like that sort of thing.

“Five minutes left. Let’s head back—wait, what are you guys doing?”

I was about to go to class since lunch was almost over when I saw Soyeol and Yeseo making something with the petals.

‘What are they doing?’

I thought about just leaving, but they’re my only friends. How could I?

Even if it means being late, I can’t abandon them.

I crossed my arms and observed their modern art.

They were working hard, stomping their feet. Hmm.

“Pfft.”

I couldn’t hold in my laughter.

They both looked up at me. I guess they heard.

Ignoring their stares, I waved my hand.

“Go ahead and finish. I’ll wait.”

“…He definitely laughed just now.”

“He probably thinks we’re funny, right? We’ll show him if we make it well enough.”

That’s not going to be easy. And honestly, I wasn’t laughing at the picture.

‘They looked like dancing squids with how they moved their feet.’

Not that I’ve ever seen a dancing squid, but that’s the best comparison I can make.

The circus would welcome them with open arms.

The two of them managed to finish just before class started.

“Ta-da! How is it?”

Yeseo’s eyes sparkled, while Soyeol puffed out her chest confidently.

And I looked at the picture they made…

“A cat? You did a good job.”

“…It’s supposed to be a wolf.”

“Um.”

The light in their eyes dimmed. Wait, how is that supposed to be a wolf’s tail, though? Hmm.

A moment of silence.

Ding-dong-ding-dong.

The bell rang for the start of class. Nice timing.

“Looks like class started. Let’s go up.”

The chilly atmosphere was uncomfortable. It was clearly spring, but the area felt cooler.

Dripping with a bit of nervous sweat, I went back to class.

The two of them didn’t say a word the whole way. Sigh.

***

“Good job today, everyone. Wait, hey, don’t leave yet. Sit down, all of you.”

The class looked confused.

He usually lets us out earlier than the other classes. When he doesn’t, it’s usually for one of two reasons.

Either someone in our class got into trouble.

Or…

“I have an announcement. It’ll take a bit, so stay seated.”

It’s an important announcement. The teacher handed out the school letter he’d been holding as the class sat back down.

“Once you have it, listen up. We’re going on a retreat soon. It’ll probably be the week after next.”

“It’s at the end of this month.”

“Oh, is it? Anyway, on the bottom of the letter, there’s a part for indicating if you’re interested in going. Discuss it with your parents and bring it back by the day after tomorrow.”

“Is that all?”

“Of course not. I said it’d take a bit. Hold on.”

Looking tired, he squinted and continued explaining.

“If any of you have allergies, write them down on the back of the form. And Ha-eun.”

…? Me?

“Me?”

“Yeah, you. Think you’ll be able to handle the retreat?”

“Hmm…”

I thought for a moment. I’ve never missed a retreat so far.

But I haven’t been able to participate in most of the training activities.

‘I just joined the ones that didn’t take much effort.’

It shouldn’t be a problem, though. The teacher knows this too.

I looked at him, silently asking for clarification.

“Well, the place we’re going this time is military-style. It’s probably going to be tough.”

The teacher sighed, as if he couldn’t help it.

The class collectively groaned.

“Are you serious? Why are we going to a military camp for a retreat?”

“Why? I think it sounds fun.”

“Yeah, you’re a girl. Look at the guys.”

As that student pointed out, the boys looked absolutely dejected.

“I’ll talk to my parents about it.”

“Good. If you decide it’s a no, you can opt out. But you’ll still have to come to school.”

Oh, that’s a bit…

The class didn’t react much to the teacher singling me out like that.

After all, my health condition has been known throughout the school for a long time.

Everyone’s just kind of used to it by now.

“That’s all the news I have. Any questions?”

He scanned the class.

Naturally, most of the students raised their hands, especially the girls.

The boys looked like they didn’t even want to ask, even if they had questions.

“Teacher! Are we really going to a military camp?”

“Apparently. I’m not sure if it’s an academy or a training center. It should say in the letter.”

“What about our phones?”

“Why even ask? You’ll have to turn them in, of course.”

“What?! We have to give up our phones?”

“That’s right. Honestly, I don’t get it either. Why do we have to turn on our phones?”

The teacher scratched his head and shrugged. He wasn’t turning his in, was he?

“I’m just following orders, you know. Help me out here, kids.”

Sigh. That’s the life of a working adult, isn’t it?

“So, will we get to shoot guns?”

“Are you crazy? Of course, they’re not going to let kids shoot. They’ll probably just have you watch from afar.”

The teacher continued to answer the students’ questions thoroughly.

He usually feels like the neighborhood goofball, but at times like these, he reminds me he’s a teacher.

“All right, no more questions?”

“Yes!”

“All right, get home safely.”

With that, the teacher left, and the class buzzed with excitement.

“Hey, check the location. It’s really a military camp.”

“Ugh… they’re making us stay there for three

days and two nights?”

“Why are phones and AirPods banned items?”

Because it’s a retreat?

I got up from my seat. Soyeol and Yeseo grabbed their bags too.

Many classmates had already left, but the room was still noisy.

We should get out of here. It’s so loud my ears might burst.

The three of us left the school.

By the way, the two of them were in a good mood, having forgiven me after I drew them the orca and shark.

“See you! Bye!”

Since she’s an idol trainee, Yeseo left first.

Soyeol and I continued our conversation quietly.

“So, are you going?”

“If you go, I’ll go. Are you?”

Why even ask?

“Of course. You said you’d only go if I did.”

Soyeol smiled brightly.

With a face like that, people would find it easy to approach her.

…That actually bothers me a bit.

“But.”

“If I just talk to my parents, it’ll be fine.”

“Okay. If it gets hard during the retreat, I’ll carry you around.”

…Could you please not? Even if we’re almost the same height.

“I’m heavier than you might think.”

“I’m an athletic student.”

Oh, right. She’s got no match among our peers in strength.

Not to mention, she’s fast and agile too.

“Fine then.”

I laughed and patted her on the head.

So this is what it feels like when people pat my head.

Soyeol closed her eyes, enjoying it. Hey, watch where you’re walking.

And I ended up slightly regretting agreeing to the retreat.

***

“I told you not to touch the gun!”

The stern soldier shouted at the students, his voice echoing.

The kids who had touched the gun flinched instinctively.

Ugh. I should’ve just stayed home.

It’s not physically exhausting—this is mentally draining. These little troublemakers.

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