Girls und Panzer: Rose of Sharon

by PepeDuck

This story is a spin-off from "Girls und Panzer: in der Welt". We follow the life of South Korean tank ace, Ahn Soo-jin, long before the event in the main story. Born and raised in Japan, Ahn Soo-jin, has to face the worst nightmare for any senshadoin: living in the city which prohibit senshado, when she moved back to Korea. Will she be able to play senshado again?

6. A Talk Among Friends

Act 6: A Talk Among Friends

Dandelion Cafe
Mugunghwa Educational District

A waitress caried out the order for four people in the mezzanine floor of the Dandelion Cafe, a famous and coffee joint in Mugunghwa. The students of tri-school consider this as the second rendezvous point in this district, due to its coziness and affordability. It's also the perfect place to meet any student from other schools, since students tends to gather here to study and do their assignment when they need a much cozier atmosphere than the school.

"An iced americano with rainbow cake?" asked the waitress.
"That's me," said Hye-ri.
"Cappucino float with tiramisu?"
"Mine!" said Soo-jin.
"Iced matcha latte and mille-feuille cake?"
"That's me," said Ga-eun.
"Means vanilla frappucino with strawberry shortcake belongs to you, miss?"
"Yessurey!" said Yu-ra.
"Enjoy your meals."
"Kamsahamnida!"

They then enjoyed their cake slices and beverages.

"You don't really need to pay for everyone, Soo-jin-a," said Yu-ra, "we could all go Dutch."
"It's okay, besides, my Moog has just been activated, so I wanted to buy something for my friends," said Soo-jin.

Moog is a colloquial name for the form of electronic currency used in Mugunghwa Educational District, owned by pretty much every students of Baekhap Girls' Academy, Yongdam Preparatory School, and Jindallae Vocational College. Officially named "Student's Electronic Cash Account", this could be used to buy goods and services in Mugunghwa District only, which made students tends to use the name "moog" (shortened from Mugunghwa) instead of its official abbreviation, SECA. Primarily, it's a subsidy from each school for their students' basic needs each terms (the amounts varies based on each school's internal policy). However, students are also allowed to add the amounts of their moog account themselves from their registered bank account (usually from their parent's bank accounts). Students can also transfer certain amount of their moog to other students' moog accounts, though this kind of transaction is being watched by the central system to prevent extortion or any other illegal practice. Outside Mugunghwa, moog can only be used for bus lines in and out of Mugunghwa District, and once money is being added to the account, it cannot be withdrew as long as the account owner is still a student of tri-school, which made them virtually unusable outside the district.

"So, Soo-jin-a, what made you move here in the first place?" asked Hye-ri, "I mean, there are a lot of places in Korea, so why Gwiseon?"
"Actually, when my father got a job in Korea, he was transfered here right away, so we have to move here," said Soo-jin, "we're okay with the move, I mean, after my Mom died last year, I think we all need some changes in atmosphere."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear about your mom," said Yu-ra, "so, what's your father's job here?"
"He's a lawyer at Haemin Law Firm," said Soo-jin, "but he's more of an investigative lawyer. You know, like boots on the ground. Less money, more workload, but that's one of the three things he did the best, so I'm proud of him."
"You should," said Yu-ra, "but you made it sound cool."
"How about you?" asked Soo-jin, "what's your father do?"
"He's a harbormaster in Sugok Hanggu," said Yu-ra, "each time ships come and go, he'll be the one to stay behind, making sure everything is okay to the smallest detail. He even taught me codes and signals when I was a little, seems like he was expecting me to take over his job someday."
"You're all lucky, my father's just and owner of a small noodle's joint in Soosonghwa-gu," said Hye-ri.
"Yeah, small joint, but the best noodle dish in the entire Gwiseon," said Yu-ra, "people lined up for your father's little restaurant literally from early morning to late at night. You should try their noodles sometimes, Soo-jin-a."
"I can vouch for that," said Ga-eun while smiling.
"Wow, this is perhaps the only time I see Ga-eun just hanging her headset in her neck in a social occasion," said Yu-ra, "she never seemed to enjoy this kind of things."
"Normally I don't, but I don't know," said Ga-eun, "I enjoyed being here with all of you."
"It's an honor, Ga-eun-a," said Soo-jin, "oh right, since we're talking about our father's job, would you mind if I know yours?"
"Not at all, my father owned a construction firm," said Ga-eun, "you know, GT Construction."
"Ah? So GT Construction owned by your father?" said Yu-ra, "that's the firm we used when renovating our house."
"And also the firm that build the entire blocks of Haebaragi 2," said Hye-ri, "eotteokke, why everyone's fathers sounds so cool?"
"Hey, being a chef with that many customers is not less cool," said Soo-jin.
"My father always catered from there," said Ga-eun.
"Though I don't want to go to your father's joints so often," said Yu-ra.
"Wae? Why not?" asked Hye-ri.
"Your parents know me! If I go there, they always took me out of the queue, put me on a special bench, and give me a more special version of the noodle, and never took any dime of my money!" said Yu-ra.
"That's because you're family friend, Yu-ra-ya," said Hye-ri, "we don't collect money from family."
"Well, next time tell your parent to treat me like other customers, please," said Yu-ra.
"Alright, I will, but I can't promise," said Hye-ri.

They all laughed together.

"Oh, Soo-jin-a, you said that your father does best on three things," said Ga-eun, "may we know what those are?"
"Wha? Am I hearing wrong?" asked Yu-ra, "this is the first time I saw Ga-eun interested in other people."
"I'm just curious, that's all," said Ga-eun.
"That's the power of Lollipop sisters, I think," said Hye-ri.
"I guess you're right," said Soo-jin, "but of course you may know. Those three things are: as a man of the house, as an investigative lawyer, and on you-know-what."
"You mean sensha-do?" asked Hye-ri.
"Sssh! Don't say it out loud here!" said Yu-ra.
"Oh right, sorry," said Hye-ri.
"But I thought only female allowed to do sensha-do?" asked Ga-eun.
"Well, that's one of the common misperceptions, for senshadoka themselves yes, only females allowed, but there are many fields in sensha-do's sphere: management, mechanics, logistics, and many other which allowed males to enter," said Soo-jin, "and statistically throughout the world, there are plenty of men working in the fields of sensha-do. The percentage is small, but in number, it's plenty."
"Ah, I see," so Hye-ri, "so, what are you? A senshadoka?"

Soo-jin nods and smiles.

"You mean you drive the tank around, rumbling and gun blazing?" said Hye-ri.
"Hahaha, not quite," said Soo-jin, "you see, this is another misconception. People oftenly refer senshadoka as just the commander of the tank. But the tank itself is operated by a crew of multiple people, depending on the type, and each one of the crew is a senshadoka, despite the various roles we play in the tank."
"So, what are those?" asked Yu-ra.
"It really depends on the tank. Some tanks are manned by 2, some has 3 or 4 or 5; American M3 Lee medium tanks even had a crew of seven in it," said Soo-jin, "but let me make an example from a German Panzer IV, which has a more common 5-man configuration. First we have the driver, her job is to drive the tank, to get from point A to point B. Then a radio operator, who handles communication among a tank's internal crew, and the tank within its larger groups. On turret, we have a gunner, the one who aims and fires the the gun, and she is assisted by a loader, whose job is to basically load the gun. And in the center of all of them is a commander, like me. Our job is to coordinate the crews so that the tank goes exactly to where it supposed to go, doing things it supposed to do. You know, like the brain controlling our body."
"Wow, that seems like hard work," said Ga-eun.

"Well, the truth is, it's really hard, and dangerous," said Soo-jin, "sensha-do is a dangerous sport, and the commander, who commands the tank, has a huge responsibility on her shoulders. If she's incompetent in her job, disaster may struck. Just for you know, people do died in sensha-do."
"That is sounds really dangerous," said Yu-ra.
"But also exciting," said Hye-ri.
"I agree," said Ga-eun.
"Guys, don't you listened to my last sentence?" asked Soo-jin.
"Yes, we know, that 'people do died in sensha-do' part," said Hye-ri, "like Heo Jin-a sunbaenim."
"Who?" asked Soo-jin.
"Heo Jin-a sunbaenim, she was a former captain of Gwiseon Hwarang, and it was her death that led to Prohibition," said Yu-ra.
"Wait, this city once had sensha-do team?" asked Soo-jin.
"Yes, before the Prohibition," said Yu-ra, "The Gwiseon Hwarang, but I only ever heard about them by my Eomma's story."
"Me too," said Hye-ri, "the team is no longer existed by the time we born, so even-though we heard stories about them, it's hard for us to imagine what does it looks like."
"Especially when the news..." said Ga-eun, "do you guys remember when the news stopped?"
"Ah yes, when is it the last time we saw that?" asked Hye-ri, "was it 5 years ago? Or more?"
"What news?" asked Soo-jin.
"Tank finding," said Ga-eun.
"Wait, what?" said Soo-jin.
"Few years back, when we're still in elementary school, each months there always be a news about some tank popped out of nowhere, being found by someone, mostly newcomers; people who just moved to the city, and only knows that the rule obliged for any tank found to be handled to the Committee."
"Committee?" asked Soo-jin.
"Committee of Sensha-do Prohibition," said Yu-ra, "that's the municipal body that controls the prohibition of sensha-do in this city. Like you now know, any tank related things are banned in Gwiseon, and the Committee is the main enforcer of the prohibition, along with Gwiseon PD, of course. Vice-Principal Kang Hoon is a committee officer, placed as vice-principal in Baekhap."
"Not only Baekhap, even Yongdam and Jindallae have Committee officers placed as their vice principals," said Ga-eun, "their main duty is to clear the school of contrabands, that is sensha-do related things, like your book."
"Yeah, they don't teach, and we can't go to them for any school administration problems, but when we even whispered the word 'sensha-do' at school..." said Hye-ri, followed by her running her index finger along the neck.
"They made us to repeat the vow of supporting sensha-do prohibition once in every week," said Yu-ra, "I'm get tired of that. I mean, I know some of the people who came from that era, and nobody said ill things."
"It is the prohibition that made sensha-do the worst," said Hye-ri, "I have friends and also my own kins, who are related to Hwarang, and Committee pressed them like rats. As if they're doing something that is wrong."
"When we're younger, we tend to follow what the city told us," said Ga-eun, "but now we're in the age that put us questioning anything. Especially, like Hye-ri-ya, when we have friends or families which can be traced back to Hwarang era. We would question whether how the city, or in this case Committee, treat them are necessary."
"Soo-jin-a, are you okay?" asked Yu-ra, "you're so silent."
"Oh no, I mean, when I first heard about the Prohibition, I thought that the city didn't have any sensha-do team from the start, and that you are all strangers to the concept of sensha-do," said Soo-jin, "I never thought that at some point, you've still got grasp on sensha-do, despite the prohibition having gone too long."
"Well, grasp, but more like catching the air. We know but we can't understand," said Hye-ri, "but let me tell you something. Despite the Prohibition, many people in Gwiseon actually don't mind about sensha-do. But since Committee has dictated that sensha-do is against the law, so we don't talk it out loud, only on closed-meeting like this the words being conveyed, while fearing someone might eavesdrop, since if Committee found out you're talking about sensha-do, the retribution can be severe. I know it, saw it myself."
"What did they do? Do you got arrested for that?" asked Soo-jin.
"Of course not, Committee has no power to arrest someone," said Yu-ra, "but they could do something no less worst."
"My kins, which related to Hwarang, got bullied into moving out of Gwiseon," said Hye-ri, "most people don't know about this, alright? It's not something that happened in the surface. But when you have friends or families related to sensha-do, then you'll see such things happened."

Everyone silent for a while. They don't talk, just bit their cakes or sip their coffees.

"We all have families or friends that suffer because of the Prohibition, Soo-jin-a," said Yu-ra, "that's why we know. And, when you introduce yourself, that you're a tanker, to tell you the truth, that got us worried."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine," said Soo-jin, "I just need to learn to live without sensha-do, that's all."
"I'd say we all should watch over Soo-jin," said Ga-eun, "make sure she doesn't say any wrong things."
"That so sweet of you, guys, but..."
"No but," said Hye-ri, "we insisted. Beside, this made us hang together more often."

Soo-jin smiled.

"Thank you guys, I really am," said Soo-jin.
"That's what friends are for," said Yu-ra.
"And maybe you could tell us more about sensha-do life," said Hye-ri, "of course when no one else is listening."
"Maybe we could go home together later," said Yu-ra.
"I can't, I have to buy groceries after school," said Soo-jin.
"Will it be much?" asked Hye-ri.
"Maybe, I need to stock on the pantry," said Soo-jin, "we're running out of groceries right now."
"Then we shall accompany you," said Hye-ri.
"No need, guys," said Soo-jin, "I don't want to bother you."
"We insist. Beside, you don't know where the grocery store is, so we shall show it to you." said Yu-ra, "do you want to come too, Ga-eun-a?"
"Ah, sorry, I have to go home early," said Ga-eun, "my Abeoji wanted everyone of my family to be present at dinner. He said, it's the only time we could eat together."
"I can relate that," said Soo-jin, "difference is, mine is breakfast, since my Abeoji often comes home very late at night."
"So, who's prepping for meals? You?" asked Yu-ra.
"Mm-hm," said Soo-jin.
"Wow, I don't know that you can cook, Soo-jin-a," said Hye-ri.
"Not much, just some Japanese food or emergency meals," said Soo-jin, "currently learning to cook Korean food as well since now I'm here."
"You could learn from Yu-ra," said Hye-ri, "she's one helluva cook for Korean cuisine."
"Just for simple meals," said Yu-ra, "not like that royal banquet things of Yongdam..."
"But I kinda curious about Soo-jin's," said Hye-ri, "maybe we could have pajama party at her house sometimes."
"Oh, sure, you're all welcomed in my house," said Soo-jin, "I always excited whenever friends sleeping in."
"Haebaragi-2, right?" asked Yu-ra.
"To be precise, 173 Haebaragi-2 dong," said Soo-jin.
"You're 173?" asked Ga-eun, "my house is at 285."
"No kidding? Haebaragi-2 as well?" asked Soo-jin.
"Uh-huh."
"That means you're neighbors?" asked Hye-ri.
"No, different blocks, unfortunately, but I think I have a good idea where Soo-jin's house is," said Ga-eun.
"Drop by sometimes, will you?" said Soo-jin.
"Really? I can do that?" asked Ga-eun.
"Why of course," said Soo-jin, "just drop by, we could chat, or I cook you meal, or anything. You're always welcome."
"Ah, I wish I could also get 'muh just drop by' like Ga-eun," said Hye-ri.
"Well, you could also drop by if you like," said Soo-jin.
"I wish, but my house is way far," said Hye-ri, "I'm at 366 Haebaragi-1, while Yu-ra's on 347 Haebaragi-1."

"Isn't Haebaragi 1 and 2 is next to each other?" asked Soo-jin.
"Yes, technically both areas only separated by Haebaragi Main Road," said Yu-ra, "however, the arrangements of the blocks are different. Block 3XX of Haebaragi-1 is located in the northern side of Greater Haebaragi Area, while Block 1XX of Haebaragi-2 is on the end of southeast corner. Our house even closer to Ga-eun's than yours, Soo-jin-a. When you go home, you should take bus 5A, while we took bus 5B, since both buses has separate route in Greater Haebaragi Area."

"But don't worry, we'll drop by in your house sometimes," said Hye-ri, "or how about if we have sleepovers, in each of our house during this terms?"
"That's a good idea!" said Soo-jin.
"I'm fine by that," said Yu-ra, "but how about you, Ga-eun?"
"Me? I'm okay with that too," said Ga-eun, "perhaps my parents will be freaked out, since I never had any friends come into my house since elementary school. But I think that's good for change, they almost thought I'm becoming a hermit at school."
"Hermit?" asked Soo-jin.
"Meaning she's disconnected from the rest of the world," said Yu-ra.
"Yeah, a fancy word to say that I don't have friends," said Ga-eun.
"Beside, we would need to gather somewhere since we're taking pansori…" said Yu-ra, "oh, I forgot to tell you, Ga-eun-a. Soo-jin decided to choose Pansori elective, and since me and Hye-ri go with what Soo-jin's pick, is that okay to you?"
"Pansori? Sure, I'm fine by that," said Ga-eun.
"Really?"
"Do you forgot that we ever took pansori together at middle-school?" asked Ga-eun.
"Oh yes, why don't I remember?" said Yu-ra.
"Maybe because you only took the elective for a month," said Ga-eun, "just like when you take Gungdo with Yeon-hee."
"Yes, I'm a rebellious girl at that time," said Yu-ra, "you know, taking elective by elective, trying to find that's fun."
"Kinda unfortunate that you left Pansori, though," said Ga-eun, "you sing very well."
"Yeah, Yu-ra, the jack of all trade," said Hye-ri, "she could do everything, good at anything, until she's too bored to do it."
"Hey! I did got bored easily at middle school, and I'm not proud of that," said Yu-ra, "but I'm more mature and stable now."
"That's why Na-ra ssaem told us that she's delighted to have Yu-ra back," said Soo-jin.
"But since you oftenly jumped on electives, that made you have many friends throughout school, right?" said Hye-ri.
"In my pride, also at Yongdam and Jindallae as well," said Yu-ra.
"Plus, Yu-ra is a smart person," said Hye-ri, "she dosen't always come out on top, but always in the top 10 in class."
"Hey! Since when the conversation changed into talking about me?" asked Yu-ra.
"Just go with the flow," said Hye-ri.
"Why should I talking about myself?" asked Yu-ra, "I'm not that narcissistic."
"Not yet," said Ga-eun, "because you always took pride on everything you have or do, albeit silently."

Everyone broke into laughter.

"I just don't get something," said Soo-jin.
"What?" asked Yu-ra.
"Well, you are beautiful, classy, smart, skillful, all the things any girl would be proud of," said Soo-jin, "how come has Yoon Ji-soo never collected you?"
"Actually, she did, back then," said Yu-ra.
"And?"
"Dunno, she then concluded that I'm not up to her standard."
"How come?"
"Because of me," said Hye-ri, "Yu-ra and I are childhood friends, and that perhaps something Ji-soo can't accept."
"That's ridiculous," said Soo-jin, "what's wrong with you, I wonder?"
"Well, I'm not that smart, coming from a middle class family," said Hye-ri, "I talk roughly, also not beautiful, at least not up to Ji-soo's standard."
"Hye-ri, you are beautiful," said Soo-jin, "only a blind person can't see that."
"Thank you, Soo-jin-a, you're so kind," said Hye-ri.
"Back to Yu-ra, so with all that qualities, why don't you run against Ji-soo for class head earlier this day?" asked Soo-jin, "a girl like you, when standing upright, would be a serious contender, you know?"
"I don't know about that," said Yu-ra, "I like my life nowadays, and the tought of running is... Anyhow, I don't want to speculate. Ji-soo has been class head since the dawn of time. I can't see any reason why anyone want to vote someone else. She has experience on this matter."
"Yeah, but how do you know that everyone won't want any changes?" asked Soo-jin, "maybe they just waiting for someone brave enough to challenge Ji-soo."
"Maybe, and maybe not," said Yu-ra, "but Ji-soo is already in a bad mood, I really don't want to add insult to her injury."
"Democracy must be observed," said Soo-jin mimicking Na-ra.
"Wow, that's the best impression of Na-ra ssaem so far," said Hye-ri.

Everyone then began laughing, before cheering with their coffee.

Later that night...

Wolgyesu Shopping Center
Geumjanhwa-gu

After their school hour, Yu-ra and Hye-ri accompanied Soo-jin to the shopping center. According to Yu-ra, shopping for groceries after school is not something that is very rare in Gwiseon. Every now and then, there's always students who need to buy groceries, or things they can't get in Mugunghwa. In particular, there are two places they can go for that purpose. First is Wolgyesu Shopping Center in the commercial area of Geumjanhwa, and second is the Dongbaek Convenient Store chain in residential area of Paenju. Dongbaek is the closest one, only 10 minutes of walking from Mugunghwa, but since Paenju has many dark and small alleys, that could easily make someone lost in it, so Yu-ra strongly suggested that they go to Wolgyesu, which can be reached from larger and busier streets.

Since Soo-jin practically needs any ingredients she could get, Yu-ra and Hye-ri decided to split up with each hold a shopping list, and they shall meet on the cashier in about half an hour. Soo-jin has to find things like cooking wine and soy sauce among all things. As she arrived in the shelf of soy sauce, she noticed a brand that she always use in Japan. The problem is, they're located in high shelf. With only 158 cm tall, Soo-jin can barely touch the bottle. She could force herself to get it, of course, but there's a risk that she would slip and make the entire shelf fell. So she extended her hand, trying to measure what the best way to approach without risk of destroying the shelf, but when she tried for several times, suddenly...

Another arm extends and easily grabbed the bottle. Soo-jin is surprised as the bottle then is handed to her.

"Here you go, Miss." said a girl with fair skin, round-frame eyeglasses, and wavy hair.
"T-Thank you..."
"No problem," said the girl, "do you need me to get you anything else here?"
"I'm good," said Soo-jin.
"Alright, then."

The girl then smiled and leaving Soo-jin in that alley. Soo-jin has a strange feeling that she ever see the girl before, but she doesn't know when. One thing for sure, despite she's wearing a neutral sweater, the skirt indicated that she's a Yongdam student.

About an hour later, they've finished shopping and now walked for another 10 minutes to the bus stop. Soo-jin had to buy many things, so there are a lot of things, but right now, Hye-ri is the only one seen carrying all the groceries.

"I don't feel too comfortable letting you carry all that," said Soo-jin.
"It's okay, I'm happy to do it," said Hye-ri, "beside, for me, this is not heavy at all."
"Wow, I never thought that you're so strong," said Soo-jin.
"Well, when your father is a well-known noodle chef, and you like to help him carry bags of flour and kneading the dough by hand, then you'll developed some strong muscles in your arm," said Hye-ri.

"A boy pranked her one time," said Yu-ra, "Hye-ri then punched that boy in the face and made him unconscious for hours."
"Hey, don't tell that story," said Hye-ri, "it's embarrasing, you know."
"But you're so cool at that time," said Yu-ra.
"I thought the same way too back then," said Hye-ri, "all fun and games till his parents threat to call the police, thinking I've killed their son."
"In the end, it was he who moved, right?"
"That's because he can't bear the shame being knocked out by a girl. Such a shallow bully, not a real fighter. Hence I don't fear Ji-soo at all, if she want to have a piece of me, then I'll make sure to give her one. So next time she crosses your path again, just tell me, okay?"
"Arasseo," said Soo-jin.
"I'm not smart or skillful, but if you need pure strength, then I'll be gladly help," said Hye-ri smiled.

They then arrived at the bus stop. Not quite long, Soo-jin's 5B bus arrived. After collecting all her groceries from Hye-ri, Soo-jin quickly jumped into the bus, sat in the closest empty seat before waving goodbye to her friends. For Yu-ra and Hye-ri, they must wait for the 5A bus, which will arrive in 7 minutes. Soo-jin then sorted out her groceries, take out her phone and put her headset on to listen to music. But before she turned on the music...

"I'm sorry, is this seat taken?" a girl suddenly asked her.
"Oh, no, you can have it," said Soo-jin.
"Thank you."

The girl then sat next to Soo-jin.

"Wait, I know you. You're the one helping me back at Wolgyesu, right?" asked Soo-jin.
"Oh, so it's you?" said the girl, "what a coincidence."
"Yeah, and oh, my name is Soo-jin, Ahn Soo-jin."
"Ah, and I'm Hyun-joo, Baek Hyun-joo."

They shook hands.

"By the way, are you from Yongdam, right? Hyun-joo ssi?"
"Yes, that's right. Oh, you're a Baekhap student?" said Hyun-joo after noticing Soo-jin's fleur-de-lis pin.

Unlike Yongdam which has their mandatory uniform, Baekhap students aren't usually noticed easily unless by their golden fleur-de-lis pin, the only mandatory accessories for them.

"First grade?" asked Hyun-joo again.
"Mm-hmm," Soo-jin nodded.
"We're the same level, then. I'm from class 403 Yongdam, and you?"
"Class 4B of Baekhap."
"Ah, I see. To tell you the truth, I don't really know much girls from Baekhap or Jindallae. I don't go out that quite often."
"So do I, I'm new in this town. I even don't know anyone outside my own class."
"Oh really? Then it's a coincidence."
"You're in this bus, so is that means you want to go to Haebaragi 2?"
"Yes, you too? What bus stop?"
"16th."
"16th? No kidding, I'm on 16th as well."
"Wait, where's your home, I'm at 173."
"I'm 164. So that means we're neighbors on different alleys. In fact, I think your house is almost right in the back of my house. That's cool."
"What are the odds, huh?"

Both girls are laughing. However, Soo-jin seems remember something about this girl she just met.

"You know, I really thought that your face is somewhat familiar, Hyun-joo ssi."
"Really? Why so? Oh, and please just call me Hyun-joo. We're at the same age anyway."
"Alright... Aaah, you're the one who gave back the hat to Nam Bo-young in the Battle of The Arrows, right?"
"You're right. But it's not a hat, but a jeollip. I never thought someone would recognize me."
"But you must be some kind of famous, surely."
"Aniyo, like I said, no one really knows me since I rarely go out. My daily routine is just at classroom and Gungdo. So, I doubt anyone who's outside those two knows me at all."
"Well, I know you, right. Oh, wait a minute..."

Soo-jin quickly interested herself on somekind of keychain hanging on Hyun-joo's bag. It's a teddy bear-like, plushie figure, but depicted as being beaten, with bandage all over the place.

"This... This is Boko, right?"
"Yeah, you know Boko too? I kinda surprised, since this is not a very popular toy franchise in Korea."
"Uh-huh, I have one too, look."

Soo-jin took out her purse and showed Hyun-joo the Boko keychain that she had.

"This is interesting, I never see this design before," said Hyun-joo, "where did you get it?"
"I bought this in Japan, that's where I used to live before moving here," said Soo-jin.
"Really? Japan? You came from Japan? Are you..."
"I'm a Korean, well, half Japanese from my mother side."
"Wow, that's awesome. This perhaps the first time in my life I met someone in Gwiseon who knows Boko. Also, the Boko that you have, if you bought them in Japan, then it's must've been the only one here."
"Do you want it? Here you go."

To Hyun-joo's surprised, Soo-jin detached her Boko keychain and give it to Hyun-joo.

"Wha... I can't accept this, no no."
"Take it, a token for our friendship. Beside I have the one exactly like this, since I got these two from a gacha-Boko-pon."
"W... Well, alright then. Thank you. I'll surely treasure it."

As Hyun-joo put the gift carefully in her bag, Soo-jin took a glimpse outside, and is astonished when she sees a peculiar figure. It's a person, presumably woman, about 160cm in height, wearing a black outfit, from head to toe, with what looked like ninja laced-shoes, and a set of archery protection gear, all black, complete with thumb ring, and what looks like a gakgung bow slinged around her back. What made Soo-jin astonished is that the lady wears a traditional white mask of Gumiho, the nine-tailed fox, and she seems to stare back at Soo-jin.

"That's odd," said Soo-jin.
"Pardon?" asked Hyun-joo.
"Oh no, I saw a strange person just now on the curb. She's wearing an all black outfit, traditional bow, and a white Gumiho mask."
"Black outfit? Gumiho mask?"
"Yeah, do you know her?"

Hyun-joo's mimic seems slightly changed by the time she heard about the woman's description.

"Aniyo, I don't know her. Maybe someone just get back from a stage play, or cosplay event."
"There's a cosplay event here?"
"Haha, yes, but we usually wear something from traditional Korean folklores or fantasy manhwas, that's like Japanese manga for you."
"Oh, I see."
"They're just a small group of the community, though, so you're lucky to see one."
"Wow, that's something I never thought."

Soo-jin then texted her sister to come and get her in the bus stop. She could carry all the groceries to her house by herself, but with this much random stuff crammed in, it's safer to ask for her sister to help her carry them. After exchanging contact numbers, Soo-jin and Hyun-joo went different ways after going down in the same bus stop. It's a short but eventful introduction, and Soo-jin is okay with having more friends, especially the one from another school like Yongdam. However, somehow Soo-jin can't help to think that there's something with this new friend of her. It's like destiny had them met here for whatever reason it could be.