Chapter Two
The teacher comes to see what the fuss is about. Just as he’s about to yell at the student, he stops, then mumbles to Su-A to let him off because he’s a 3rd grader* (in junior high). The boy smirks and tells her to be careful next time. Su-A soon learns from another Sun-Do that he’s a relative of a faculty member who was about to get expelled from his previous school prior to his transfer. His name is Lee Gun.
Su-A seethes for a while until gym. She practices for the upcoming basketball test while Ha-Na just prays for luck. When it’s Ha-Na’s turn, she dribbles the ball on her foot, totally misses the hoop, and is getting yelled at by the teacher. Ji-Yong, who was designated to help the teacher grade the students, is laughing to himself. Ha-Na ignores him and really tries to go for the hoop--and misses by an inch! Ji-Yong finds the rebound smack in his face.
While putting some equipment away, Su-A hears something and goes to see. It’s the student from before--Lee Gun! There’s a fight between him and three other students. He’s taking some hits, but he’s giving good ones in return as well. Su-A scraps the idea of getting a teacher because it would take too long. She finally decides to blow her whistle, hoping that the students will think it’s a teacher and take off. It works!
Gun is surprised to see Su-A there, instead of a teacher. He makes his way to leave. Su-A gives him her handkerchief before he goes, telling him that his lip is bleeding. She runs off before he can say anything.
In HR (Homeroom), Su-A* must coordinate her class’ theme for the upcoming Chae-Yook-Dae-Hweh*, a school festival. Ideas are tossed around, and finally the theme of Romeo & Juliet is decided on.
Meanwhile, Ji-Yong abruptly stands up and jolts Ha-Na out of her nap. The two battle it out: Ji-Yong insists that Ha-Na had thrown the ball purposely in his face, while Ha-Na argues that if her aim was so good, she’d have made at least one basket during her test. Su-A, from the front of the room, watches the debacle in annoyance. Name-calling and insults ensue. Ji-Yong mutters half to himself that if someone didn’t have the looks, they should at least make it up in their personality. Ha-Na’s pissed! She retaliates by calling Ji-Yong a girl.
The chapter ends with Su-A loudly declaring that the two people who will dress up as Romeo & Juliet will be none other than Ji-Yong and Ha-Na.
*Korean jr. high grades are as follows: Joong 1, Joong 2, Joong 3, with the last being the oldest. ‘Joong’ is short for ‘Joong-Hak-Kyou’ which literally translates to middle school.
*Su-A, being the super smart girl that she is, is her class’ Bahn-Jahng. She coordinates student activities, dismisses each school day with “Cha-Ryuht, Gyung-Neh!” (similar to the military “Attention!”), runs errands for the teachers, and watches over the class in general. Bahn-Jahng are usually elected by class members, so it runs as a sort of popularity contest as well.
*A Chae-Yook-Dae-Hweh is similar to a decathlon where students compete in events to bring glory to their class. Students cheer their classmates on by dressing up, catering food, and performing cheers. All in all, it’s a very fun event.
Home
