Chapter 136
Chapter 136
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: Selective Courtesy
Han Ji-su from Class 2-2 had an unforgettable childhood memory.
The day her mother, newly elected as a city councilor for the first time, set up her office and held the opening ceremony.
"Councilor! You've arrived!"
Her mom kept bowing repeatedly to the party heavyweights who had nominated her, and Ji-su, still in elementary school, scurried over every time her mom called her, bowing alongside.
"Has your wife returned from abroad? I saw her last time during the golf outing..."
About an hour passed. Her mom, who had been so attentively checking on even the second wife of a four-term assemblyman, called out to Ji-su.
"Can you go down to the first floor and buy some coffee?"
The office was packed with visiting assemblymen, their aides and staff, and even the workers bustling around to finish the interior.
In a place crawling with people who would fetch coffee perfectly to your taste with just a 'I'm thirsty,' why make her own daughter run the errand? Because Ji-su herself was young and cute.
Back then, and even now, Ji-su loved being acknowledged by others.
Craving praise, she dashed down to the cafe on the first floor.
Without anyone's help, she successfully carried over ten cups of coffee. Straws, sleeves, extra sugar packets—she handled it all meticulously. Proud of flawlessly completing her mission.
"Han Ji-su, are you in your right mind?"
But her mom's reaction to seeing Ji-su staggering in with stacks of egg carton-like paper trays was completely unexpected.
Pulling Ji-su into a corner, her mom grabbed her shoulders.
"I told you to buy coffee, so why'd you get them all the same?!"
At first, she thought she'd been scolded for buying over ten Americanos. Then she figured it was for getting all hot ones.
But that wasn't it.
"Why buy from the cafe for those guys unloading luggage over there? Just grab a few canned coffees from the convenience store."
Ah, so it's because I spent too much money.
But a single cup of coffee was only 4,500 won...
"People doing manual labor don't care about bean coffee taste. They're the type to mix instant coffee in paper cups, and even convenience store coffee is a treat to them."
"...Sorry. I didn't realize there was a price difference."
"Han Ji-su!"
I thought my daughter was smart, but why is she so dense today? Her mom spoke coldly, then plastered on a smile and stood up at the four-term assemblyman's question of 'What are you doing over there?'
"My daughter was bored and whining."
Before quickly fixing her appearance and heading out, her mom said to Ji-su,
"Han Ji-su. You probably think treating everyone equally with good manners is polite, but actually, you've been rude."
"......"
"Think about it. How do you think the assemblymen would feel getting the same coffee as the laborers?"
"...Ah."
"Don't ever do it again."
That afternoon, it rained.
Aides unfolded heavy black long umbrellas and lined up from the building entrance to the car, escorting the assemblyman so he wouldn't get a drop of rain.
In front of the building, dozens of people held picket signs, standing directly in the downpour, protesting for the truth of some incident to be revealed, demanding the people's voice be heard.
"Then next time out in the field..."
The assemblymen smirked as they passed right by the protesting citizens. Ignoring the reporters clinging for interviews. That reporter was soon shoved away by the aides.
But even such assemblymen—even such a mom—went to the markets during election season.
Shaking hands with the very citizens they'd said couldn't even share the same coffee, bowing and scraping, making wildly extravagant promises as if they'd give their liver and gall.
That was the education Ji-su had received.
'Ugh, I get it now.'
'Yeah, you'd think that.'
'Wasn't on purpose... If that's what you thought, I'm really sorry.'
Even when kids insulted her because of her overzealous mom, she stayed good. Gentle.
After graduation, she'd never have to mix with them for life anyway. No need to stir up trouble with low-class kids. Fighting itself meant engaging with them.
Just unconditionally agree with them. Like an assemblyman at the market.
She had to speak nicely. Then they'd think she liked them.
Too whiny? Well, if she spoke her true mind, they'd all be shocked.
Assemblymen show their true colors after the election. Before that, they act like they'd do anything for the people.
So Ji-su planned to stay nice until she secured her perfect position of superiority.
Because that made life easier.
"Bad timing. Should've done it the day after opening day."
"But Mom, why make us call that paper 'Help Paper'? Could've just said survey."
"Because the one helping us is the Help Master. What can you do? The date was off, so it flopped. Should've ditched her here..."
"Couldn't you have reported it yourself, Mom?"
"No evidence—if I say I saw it myself, it'll bite me later. Better if the kids report each other; then I can dodge responsibility."
"......"
"Han Ji-su, don't worry about that stuff. Just focus on studying."
"......"
"This time, even if you slack on studying, no worries about not coming in first..."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Seat change time has arrived!"
"Woohoo!"
Seat shuffle time before the school trip!
Change seats today, school trip in a few days, then midterms!
Perfect plan.
"I don't wanna split from Da-hye..."
"Me neither..."
Yeon-hee and I clasped hands, sniffling and wiping tears. Jeong Eun-seong, silently packing his things next to us, glanced back and forth between me and Yeon-hee. His expression was its usual sulk.
A while back, Seo Jae-kyeom had looked haggard; lately, it was Jeong Eun-seong. Our class girls' group chat was exploding every other day thanks to his brooding, storybook-hero vibe.
Sad to part from Yeon-hee, but also sad to part from Jeong Eun-seong. This guy...
Couldn't tell what he was thinking from his face.
"Kang Da-hye."
Lee Seo-jun spoke up next to me as I packed my bag, hiding my inner thoughts.
"It was good being seatmates."
"Me too."
No smell, no pointless chatter, no leg-shaking. Could swap notebooks after class. Lee Seo-jun was the perfect seatmate.
"Who do you wanna pair with this time?"
"Hmm..."
Honestly, I cared more about where the seat was than who I'd be with.
I wanted the front of the second row. Or the front of the third row.
Before my regression, I'd sat in the front of the second row all senior year. It was the best.
I drew a paper with excitement.
"Oh!"
Front seat! Fourth row, but still!
I rushed over excitedly.
And then.
"Lee Seo-jun, you too?"
"Yeah..."
"Wow!"
Seatmates again!
"That's crazy!"
I high-fived Lee Seo-jun. His face flushed red with embarrassment, but he played along.
"Way too crazy! How are we partners two times in a row?"
"No idea..."
"A sign from the gods that we should study hard together and go to Korea University?"
I gave myself a blessing and scanned the classroom.
Do-yeon... close by. Se-in, Su-a... over there. Yeon-hee and Ga-eun swapped spots, Jeong Eun-seong...
First row, back seat.
Totally far from me?
And right behind him, Seo Jae-kyeom.
Seeing me off in the distance with Lee Seo-jun, their faces twisted. Seo Jae-kyeom came rushing over.
"Lee Seo-jun, let's swap seats."
"Huh?"
"My seat's awesome. First row back. Perfect for messing around. Great sunlight. Plants need sunlight to grow tall, right? You need it to grow too. Weather's getting colder—first row's the best spot, even by feng shui."
"Huh..."
"So let's swap."
He was really putting in his best effort to persuade.
If his tone had been threatening, I'd have stepped in, but it was the opposite—super obsequious. Lee Seo-jun would have a hard time refusing now.
They weren't in the same crew, but they got along surprisingly well. The notoriously bad-tempered Seo Jae-kyeom always gave the mild-mannered Lee Seo-jun some slack.
Figuring they'd swap no problem, I watched.
"No."
...Oh?