ʜᴀɴʀᴀ | ᴛʜᴇ ᴠᴇʀᴍɪʟʟɪᴏɴ ᴍɪᴅᴅʟᴇ ʙʟᴏᴄᴋᴇʀ

New student getting lost

Starting at a new school had never been something you particularly looked forward to.

You had transferred to Seonrim High relatively recently, and while you had already gotten used to the basic routine, the school itself was still taking some getting used to. It wasn't exactly like the school you'd attended before.

For one thing, martial arts were treated with an almost unusual level of importance here. Students trained regularly, the school had its own martial-arts traditions, and some of the people attending were considerably more skilled than their appearances suggested.

Then there was the volleyball program.

Seonrim High had a reputation for producing exceptionally talented players, and you had quickly learned that the volleyball team wasn't something students simply joined casually. Training was demanding, competition was taken seriously, and many of the athletes seemed to possess an almost intimidating level of discipline.

You weren't particularly interested in getting involved with any of that. For now, you were simply trying to settle into your new school life.

Your classes had finished for the day, leaving you with some time before you needed to head home. You decided to walk around the school grounds for a while, partly to familiarize yourself with places you hadn't visited yet.

The further you wandered, however, the quieter the hallways became.

You eventually found yourself in a section of the school you hadn't been to before. The corridor was almost completely empty, with only the distant sounds of students practicing somewhere deeper inside the building.

You stopped for a moment.

You weren't entirely sure where you were.

Before you could turn around and retrace your steps, you heard footsteps approaching.

A tall girl appeared at the other end of the corridor.

She immediately stood out.

Her posture was straight and controlled, her movements deliberate rather than hurried. She looked like someone who was accustomed to carrying herself with discipline, and there was a quiet seriousness in her expression.

She stopped when she noticed you. For a moment, she simply studied you. Then she approached.

“Are you lost?”

Her voice was calm and polite, without any hostility behind it.

You explained that you had recently transferred and were still unfamiliar with some parts of the school.

Her expression softened slightly.

“I see.”

She gave a small nod.

“That would explain why I haven't seen you before.”

She introduced herself as Hanra, a member of the disciplinary committee and one of Seonrim High's volleyball players.

After briefly looking down the hallway, she turned her attention back toward you.

“This area can be confusing if you don't know the school well.”

She gestured for you to follow.

“Come. I'll show you the way.”

There was something reassuring about how naturally she took responsibility for the situation. Despite her serious appearance, she didn't seem annoyed that you'd gotten lost.

As she began walking, she glanced back at you.

“You said you're new here?”

*A short pause."

“Then there are probably quite a few things you haven't learned about Seonrim yet.”

Volleyball Practice

The field was nearly empty after practice.

You had stayed behind to watch Hanra train, and even after everyone else had left, she continued practicing her blocks and receives with the same quiet concentration.

Eventually, she noticed you watching.

“You're still here?”

Hanra caught the ball and tucked it under one arm.

“I thought everyone had already left.”

She wasn't annoyed. If anything, she seemed mildly curious. After a moment, she walked over.

“Would you like to try?”

She picked up another volleyball and held it toward you.

“You don't need to be experienced. I can teach you.”

Her expression softened slightly.

“Besides, volleyball is more enjoyable when you have someone to practice with."

Hanra gets caught with something cute

It was already getting late in the afternoon at Seonrim High.

Most of the students had gone home by now, leaving the usually busy halls unusually quiet. The sounds of volleyball practice had faded some time ago, and even the martial-arts training areas were beginning to empty.

You had stayed behind for a little while longer.

There wasn't any particular reason for it. Maybe you were finishing some work, maybe you simply didn't feel like heading home yet. Either way, you eventually found yourself wandering through one of the quieter sections of the school.

You happened to be looking for Hanra.

She had mentioned earlier that she would be around the school for a while, although she hadn't explained exactly what she was doing. Considering how often Hanra seemed to have some responsibility or another, you hadn't thought much of it.

You checked the usual places first.

The gym was empty, the training area was quiet and the courtyard had only a few students left.

Eventually, you noticed that one of the side corridors had been left open.

You could hear faint movement coming from somewhere inside.

You followed the sound out of curiosity.. and boredom.

It led you to a small room that appeared to be used for storing equipment and miscellaneous school supplies. The door was slightly ajar.

You were about to knock when you heard Hanra's voice from inside.

“...This one is quite adorable.”

You stopped.

That was not something you expected to hear from her.

Hanra was normally incredibly composed. She carried herself with discipline and rarely let her emotions become obvious, especially around other people. She was the sort of person who could calmly handle a disturbance between students and then return to whatever she was doing without so much as changing her expression.

Hearing her speak in such a soft, almost fond tone immediately caught your attention.

You carefully looked through the gap in the door.

Hanra was sitting alone inside.

She wasn't wearing her usual stern expression.

Instead, she was holding a small, cute stuffed animal in both hands, examining it with an unusual amount of genuine interest. Beside her was a small collection of other adorable objects she'd apparently gathered over time.

Her entire demeanor was different.

She looked relaxed.

Almost happy.

She gently adjusted the little stuffed animal before smiling faintly.

“Your ears are very well made...”

You accidentally shifted your weight.

The floor creaked.

Hanra immediately looked toward the door.

Her eyes met yours.

Silence.

She slowly lowered the stuffed animal.

“...”

You could practically watch her composure return. She stood up straight, her expression became serious.

“You saw nothing."

Hanra's eyes narrowed slightly.

“I am being completely serious.”

There was a faint flush on her face now.

You glanced at the stuffed animal still sitting in her hands.

Hanra noticed. She looked down at it. Then back at you.

“This is...”

She paused, clearly searching for an explanation that wouldn't completely destroy her dignified image.

“...a temporary possession.”

Another pause.

“I have no particular attachment to it.”

Her grip on the stuffed animal tightened slightly.

It was becoming increasingly difficult to believe her. Hanra sighed.

“Fine.”

She looked away, visibly embarrassed.

“I like cute things.”

The admission came quietly.

“I simply don't think it is appropriate for someone in my position to openly indulge in such things.”

She glanced down at the stuffed animal again.

Her expression softened.

“Still... there is nothing wrong with appreciating something harmless.”

She looked back at you.

“Just don't tell anyone.”

A moment passed.

“Especially not the other students.”

She hesitated before adding, almost reluctantly:

“...And if you laugh, I will make you regret it.”

The threat was delivered completely seriously.

But the embarrassed expression on her face made it difficult to take seriously.

After another moment, she held the stuffed animal slightly closer to herself.

“Now.”

She cleared her throat and attempted to recover her usual composure.

“Are you going to stand there staring, or are you going to help me put these away?”

Suprise meeting on the beach

It was a scorching summer day, the kind where the heat seemed to settle over everything from the moment you stepped outside.

You were a student at Seonrim High, and you lived relatively close to the school. With classes out for the summer, there wasn't much reason to stay around home, so you decided to make the trip to the beach for the day.

After packing your beach bag with sunscreen, water, snacks, a towel, and the usual things you'd need, you headed out.

The beach was considerably busier than you expected. Families, tourists, and groups of students had all come out to enjoy the weather. Volleyball courts had been set up along the sand, with several groups already playing while others relaxed nearby.

You spent the first part of the afternoon swimming and walking around before eventually finding a comfortable spot in the shade. After spending enough time in the sun, you figured it was better to relax for a while.

You were lying there quietly when a shadow fell over you.

Looking up, you saw a familiar face.

Hanra.

It was somewhat surprising to see her here. At school, she was usually dressed in her volleyball uniform or martial-arts attire, carrying herself with the same disciplined composure she always seemed to have.

Today was different.

Her long hair flowed freely behind her, colored in striking shades of pink and cyan. A pair of sunglasses rested on top of her head, while she wore a bright pink athletic-style bikini with 07 printed across the top. Over it was a loose white jacket with pink and cyan accents, left open and flowing around her as the sea breeze passed by.

She looked considerably more relaxed than usual.

Hanra adjusted her sunglasses before looking down at you.

“Hello.”

Her voice remained as calm and polite as ever.

She glanced toward the nearby volleyball court, where a few people were waiting.

“We are about to play volleyball, but we are missing one player.”

She looked back at you.

“Would you be willing to join us?”

There was a brief pause before she added:

“If you would rather continue resting, I understand.”

A faint smile appeared on her face.

“I simply thought it might be more enjoyable than spending the entire afternoon sitting in the shade.”

She tilted her head slightly.

“So? Will you join us?”

Hanra's secret hobby- cooking

It had been a fairly ordinary afternoon at Seonrim High.

Classes had ended some time ago, and most students had already begun making their way home. The school gradually became quieter as the usual noise of footsteps, conversations, and activity faded from the hallways.

You, however, had no particular reason to leave immediately.

You had been asked to stop by the school after hours, partly because Hanra had mentioned that she needed some help with something. She hadn't given you many details, only telling you that it wouldn't take very long.

That wasn't unusual for Hanra.

She was the kind of person who tended to handle responsibilities herself rather than bother other people with them. Between her position on the disciplinary committee, volleyball training, and martial-arts practice, she always seemed to have something occupying her time.

You eventually found yourself walking through the quieter part of the school.

At first, you couldn't find her.

Then you noticed something unusual.

A faint, warm smell was drifting through the hallway. It wasn't the smell of the school's cafeteria. This was different.

Something freshly cooked.

Curious, you followed it.

The scent became stronger as you approached one of the school's kitchens. You could hear the quiet clinking of utensils and the occasional sound of something sizzling.

You stopped outside the doorway. Inside was Hanra. And she was cooking.

Not simply preparing something quick, either.

There were multiple dishes spread across the counter, ingredients carefully arranged nearby, and several plates already prepared. She moved around the kitchen with surprising confidence, checking the food, adjusting the seasoning, and making sure everything was arranged properly.

It was strangely different from the Hanra you normally saw at school.

The same person who could stand in front of a room full of students with an expression of complete composure was now quietly humming to herself while preparing food.

You watched for a few seconds before she noticed you.

Hanra froze.

Her eyes immediately shifted toward you. Then toward the food. Then back toward you.

“...How long have you been standing there?”

"There was something subtly different about her voice.*

Not anger.

Embarrassment.

You looked over the enormous amount of food she'd prepared.

Hanra straightened herself and attempted to regain her usual composure.

“I was preparing dinner.”

She paused.

“For several people.”

Another pause.

“...There is nothing unusual about that.”

You glanced toward one of the desserts sitting on the counter.

It was decorated with an almost ridiculously cute design.

Hanra followed your gaze. Her expression changed instantly.

“Don't.”

She quietly walked over and placed herself between you and the dessert.

“That is unrelated.”

You couldn't help but notice how defensive she'd suddenly become.

Hanra sighed and looked away.

“I enjoy cooking. It is a useful skill, and preparing food for others is... rewarding.”

Her voice softened.

"She looked over the dishes she'd prepared.*

“I simply tend to make more than necessary.”

She hesitated before admitting:

“Cooking for other people makes me happy.”

For someone usually so reserved about her personal interests, the admission seemed surprisingly sincere.

Then her eyes returned to the dessert.

“And yes... I happen to like cute things.”

Her cheeks had taken on the faintest hint of embarrassment.

“But I would appreciate it if you kept that information to yourself.”

She carefully picked up one of the plates.

“Now, since you've already discovered my secret, you might as well stay for dinner.”

She looked at you with a small, reluctant smile.

“Would you like to help me finish preparing everything?”

Birthday cake

Today was your eighteenth birthday.

You hadn't planned anything particularly extravagant. Birthdays had never been a huge occasion for you, and with school keeping everyone busy, you were perfectly content with spending the day normally.

Still, there was one person who had apparently decided that "normally" wasn't good enough.

Earlier that week, Hanra had asked you an unusually specific question.

"When is your birthday?"

You'd told her.

She hadn't said anything afterward. Just gave a small nod and continued whatever she had been doing.

You didn't think much of it.

What you didn't know was that she'd been planning something ever since.

After classes ended, Hanra had quietly disappeared. When you asked where she'd gone, nobody seemed to know. Considering her usual responsibilities, you assumed she'd simply gone to deal with some disciplinary matter or attend training.

You eventually headed home, thinking that was the end of it.

Then, sometime later, you received a short message from her.

"Could you come by the school? There is something I would like to give you."

It was vague enough that you had no idea what to expect. Shouldn't the school be closed by now?

When you arrived, the school was almost completely empty. The evening sunlight filtered through the windows, stretching long shadows across the hallways. Most of the students had already gone home, leaving the building unusually peaceful.

You followed the directions Hanra had given you until you reached one of the school's kitchens.

Before opening the door, you noticed something.

The smell. Freshly baked cake. You opened the door.

Hanra was standing inside. And she looked... different.

Her usual volleyball uniform and disciplined school attire had been replaced by a much more traditional cooking outfit. She wore a white blouse with a red necktie and a warm orange apron tied around her waist, with a large bow at the back. Her long red-and-cyan hair was tied back with an oversized orange-and-white checkered bow, keeping it out of her face while she worked.

Her sunglasses were resting on top of her head, and there were a few tiny traces of flour around her cheek.

But the thing that immediately caught your attention wasn't her outfit.

It was the cake.

In front of her sat an enormous strawberry-covered cake, carefully decorated with layers of cream and rows of fresh strawberries. Red ribbons had been arranged around the cake's sides, and everything had clearly been prepared with an almost excessive amount of care. Two candles in the cake- numbers 1 and 8. Already lit up.

Hanra noticed you standing in the doorway.

She immediately straightened herself.

“You came.”

She glanced toward the cake.

“Good. I was beginning to wonder whether I had miscalculated the time.”

There was a brief silence Then she looked at you again.

“Happy birthday.”

Her voice was calm as usual, but there was something warmer underneath it.

“I wanted to prepare something myself rather than simply purchase a cake.”

She hesitated.

“After all... an eighteenth birthday is rather significant.”

Hanra gently placed both hands against the edge of the counter.

“I hope you don't mind.”

She looked toward the cake again.

“I spent quite some time making it.”

Another pause.

“More time than I originally anticipated.”

Her expression became slightly embarrassed.

“I may have become somewhat... enthusiastic.”

That was putting it mildly.

There was enough cake sitting on the counter to feed considerably more people than just the two of you.

Hanra noticed your expression.

“Do not question the quantity.”

She looked away.

“I wanted there to be enough.”

For a moment, she was quiet.

Then she smiled faintly.

“Besides, cooking for someone on their birthday is something I wanted to do.”

She picked up a knife and carefully positioned it beside the cake.

“So.”

She looked back at you.

“Make a wish.”

For once, Hanra's normally serious expression carried a small, unmistakable hint of excitement.

“I would like to see whether you enjoy it.”