NOVPUBAs promised, Hwang Ji-ho’s prank was on a grand scale, and he certainly lived up to his declaration of turning the school upside down.
Hwang Ji-ho had moved five attractions from the newly opened Hwangmyung Theme Park to Eungwang High: one for each of the central, first-year, second-year, third-year, and residential areas.
He intentionally placed them in spots where students would likely play pranks, enticing them to enjoy the results of their own mischief while riding the attractions.
Just like how students in the central area were able to enjoy the attraction while viewing the aurora-colored cherry blossoms.
‘But wait, I asked to prank together, yet it seems Hwang Ji-ho ended up doing it all by himself?’
He was the one who bought the attractions, moved them, and decided to bring them to the school. Though we discussed location, timing, and transportation methods, Hwang Ji-ho ultimately made the decisions and carried them out.
“Jo Yi-shin, are you really thinking you had nothing to do with this? This prank was a joint effort between you and me.”
While I was lost in thought watching the students waiting in line in front of the attraction, Hwang Ji-ho said this proudly.
After he spoke, everyone around us gasped in awe.
“No way, you’re calling this an April Fools’ joke? Given the weight of those attractions, the distance between the theme park and the school, and the power required to operate them, what you did is absolutely outrageous!”
“But Daseok rode the attraction in the second-year area first.”
“I didn’t know you had such a cool plan in mind! Next time, I’ll help too!”
“Me too! I heard you used Ineungpa for the transportation. I think I can help by adding a bit of Ineungpa too.”
“I’m with Lena on that one.”
“I’ll help next year too.”
The excited students spilled their thoughts in all directions.
Strangely, no one complained about the excessive pranks. In fact, they seemed more disappointed that they couldn’t join in on the fun.
The only one with a somewhat skeptical expression, aside from those who were outright fighting, was Dokgo Miro, who quietly observed Hwang Ji-ho.
“Good idea! Let’s all do it together next year!”
It seemed Hwang Ji-ho was already planning to cause more chaos next April Fools’ Day. I had to be careful that no students or class members got caught up in these pranks and got hurt.
Meanwhile, I received messages from the attention-seekers who weren’t at the scene.
[구슬비] (photo)
[구슬비] ——
Guseulbi attached a photo of the attraction amid the aurora-colored cherry blossoms.
In the photo, a long line of students were waiting to ride the attraction.
It looked like Guseulbi had shared several photos from the Eungwang High general bulletin board, all focusing on the attraction itself, with barely any of the cherry blossoms in the frame.
It seemed the attention-seekers were dissatisfied with that.
[옹길동] It’s unfortunate that our work has become just the background instead of the main attraction.
[옹길동] But I suppose this scene in the central area could be called our joint project. Next time, I hope we can prepare together from the start.
While politely worded, it was clear that “we want to be involved next time” was being strongly emphasized.
Since Hwang Ji-ho seemed to want to play pranks with the class, it seemed like a good match.
Meanwhile, the prank with the attractions had unexpectedly created a great situation.
[문새론] (photo)
[문새론] (photo)
[문새론] (photo)
The photos Mun Saeron excitedly sent showed Ju Su-hyeok and An Daini riding the attraction together.
They had come to ride the attractions with the class during lunch break.
The class had tacitly agreed to let the two of them ride together.
It was like a spontaneous amusement park date, and the photos of two famous players riding the attractions together spread quickly across the school.
‘It wasn’t even a marketing stunt by Hwangmyung Group, but the photos are spreading naturally.’
Along with photos of Ju Su-hyeok and An Daini, pictures of other students riding the attractions were also widely shared.
The April Fools' Day antics at Eungwang High were always an object of interest, so the photos spread without anyone needing to make an effort.
Although the students and staff enjoyed the attractions, there were voices of concern about the disappearance of five key attractions from Hwangmyung Theme Park on opening day.
The main worry was that visitors would be disappointed.
But that issue was, of course, already addressed.
‘With money, there’s nothing that can’t be done.’
Under Hwang Ji-ho’s direction, Hwangmyung Theme Park held a ridiculous event on April 1st.
For customers who entered on the opening day, they were given tickets for free entry and unlimited rides that could be used until next year’s April Fools' Day.
So, the five attractions that couldn’t be ridden today could be enjoyed on another visit.
When this news spread, the number of visitors to Hwangmyung Theme Park suddenly skyrocketed.
Since visitors could come back for free later, everyone flocked to the park today.
‘Even without such an event, there would have been a lot of visitors today.’
There was another event at the theme park.
It was the full version release of the Hwangmyung Theme Park theme song composed and performed by Kwon Je-in.
Kwon Je-in’s fans didn’t ride the attractions but gathered to listen to the full version of the song being released at the park.
Among those fans were some of Cheong-ho’s disciples.
Cheong-ho’s disciples had taken the orphanage children out early and all headed to the theme park together.
‘My playable characters are probably playing with Eun Jae-ho and Hwang Yu-ho by now.’
Though neither Hwang Yu-ho nor Eun Jae-ho were orphans, it seemed they had accompanied the outing as well.
Thinking of the three of them having fun and being friendly at the theme park made me feel warm inside.
Meanwhile, the April Fools' Day match between 1st Year, Class 0, and 3rd Year, Class 0 ended unexpectedly.
“It’s a shame it ended in a draw. If the homeroom teacher hadn’t come, we would’ve gone all the way!”
“That’s right! If Teacher Gong Cheong-hwon hadn’t intervened, our class vice president would’ve landed the final blow!”
After riding the attractions in the first-year area with my classmates, I ran into Eun Seo-ho and Eun Yi-ho.
As soon as we met, they started talking about their encounter with Geumchanwangchan’s group.
It seemed that 1st Year, Class 0 had put up quite a fight against the 3rd Year students.
‘The so-called “strongest and worst troublemakers” are no joke. They even figured out how to use Ineungpa links. To be able to tie it in a draw...’
Even though 1st Year, Class 0 had an abundance of talent, it must have been difficult to deal with Geumchanwangchan’s gang, who were seasoned in pranks and Ineungpa battles.
Maybe Eun-ho’s plan had worked out well after all?
As expected, it seemed Eun-ho had made thorough plans.
“Right now, the conflict between 3rd Year, Class 0 and the broadcasting club is well known. We thought they would completely defeat the broadcasting club and create an event for the homeroom teacher. So, we worked with the broadcasting club to prepare a surprise attack.”
Eun-ho explained the situation to Mun Saeron, who had come to ask questions after school, and gave a detailed account.
It seemed Eun-ho had made a secret deal with the broadcasting club, thoroughly researched the abilities of the 3rd Year, Class 0 seniors, and prepared for it accordingly.
Eun-ho had carefully analyzed the way Geumchanwangchan’s group chose their fighters and their main attack patterns, completing their formation accordingly.
Though one of the 1st Year, Class 0 students made some mistakes and lost a few rounds, it ended in a draw.
After Mun Saeron left the interview room, only Hwang Ji-ho, Eun-ho, and I remained, and Eun-ho added something else.
“Actually, we aimed for a draw. If we had won, 3rd Year, Class 0 would’ve tried a sneak attack to get the victory. We made this outcome so they would try to win openly in a fair fight.”
“Then you timed the arrival of the teachers on purpose?”
“Yeah, that’s why I took part in the final fight. I didn’t want to win or lose but just bought time.”
So, even the draw was part of Eun-ho’s meticulous planning.
I could understand that he had planned for a draw, but I still didn’t quite understand why they had fought in the first place.
“Jo Yi-shin looks confused,” Eun-ho said, smiling gently.
“When I do things for you, you often pretend not to know, right?”
For me? Why was 1st Year, Class 0 and 3rd Year, Class 0 fighting for the title of ‘strongest and worst troublemaker’ because of me?
Eun-ho smiled softly and continued.
“Class 0 of 1st Year is pretty aggressive. If this continues, they’ll probably aim for 2nd Year, Class 0 next. It’s possible to suppress the opinion of the whole class, but some of the members might start targeting the 2nd Year.”
“If Class 0 moves on their own, it’ll be a headache. There was a class like that in the graduated 0s, and that year, the teachers really struggled.”
Hwang Ji-ho looked like he had a headache.
Geumchanwangchan and his gang had acted as one unit, but if they scattered and acted independently, it would become much more difficult to handle.
If they spread out across Eungwang High and caused chaos in different areas, it would take many more people to suppress them compared to when they were acting together.
“That’s why I made them all aim at 3rd Year, Class 0. Without my help, it would be almost impossible for 1st Year, Class 0 to beat 3rd Year, Class 0, so we can keep the situation in a state of confrontation. Our class won’t target yours.”
Though Geumchanwangchan and his group got hit hard, I felt relieved thinking that the accumulated karma from their title as the “strongest and worst troublemakers” had come back to bite them.
Now feeling at ease, I admired Eun-ho’s consideration for 2nd Year, Class 0.
Compared to Geumchanwangchan's group, our class was much more docile and quiet, so we likely wouldn’t be able to fight back effectively against the younger generation’s attack.
Although I thought that Hwang Ji-ho could handle 1st Year, Class 0 by himself if they came to attack, it was better than having a fire burning.
“Thanks.”
“It’s nothing. It’s what I should do.”
“After hearing all of that, you’re still just sincerely thanking me...”
Though Hwang Ji-ho had said something, I didn’t care much.
After the sun had set, a very special event was waiting.
It was when Baek Ho-gun and San-ryeong came to the school and rode the attractions.
‘When I heard Hwang Ji-ho’s plan, I hoped the tiger family who couldn’t come to Hwangmyung Theme Park that day would show up.’
Though there were only five attractions, it was still something.
Baek Ho-gun, usually so stern with Hwang Ji-ho, was smiling more softly than usual, and San-ryeong was bouncing around joyfully.
Baek Ho-gun rode the attractions once, but San-ryeong was so delighted that she rode several times.
“I want to ride again...! Next time, I want to try a different attraction!”
Since Hwang Ji-ho’s pranks only lasted until April 1st, she couldn’t keep riding them until she was satisfied, but who knew what would happen in the future.
If San-ryeong gained more power, she might visit Hwangmyung Theme Park one day.
The next day, after all the traces of April Fools’ Day pranks had disappeared, Kim Shin-rok said:
“I’d like to talk to Seong Guk-eon.”
Kim Shin-rok seemed to have made up his mind.
