Chapter 140
Chapter 140
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: Regressor Kang Da-hye's Complaints About the School Trip
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Alright, everyone, go explore on your own and meet back here in 10 minutes~"
"The restrooms are that way~ Go now if you need to!"
"Don't get too close to the waterfall—it's dangerous!"
"10 minutes! 10 minutes!"
10 minutes? What exactly are we supposed to see in that time?
They tell us to explore on our own, but do you think anyone will? They're all too busy rushing to the bathroom or grabbing snacks.
Then, 10 minutes later, we take one group photo and pile back onto the bus to the next spot.
Is this really a 'school' trip?
It's just sightseeing, isn't it? I was here! I saw this! Took a photo with something famous! Done. No time to learn or reflect.
No wonder teachers are starting to prefer experiential trips. Shooting arrows, rock climbing, and soon we'll do rafting like that. At least those involve hands-on experience.
Honestly, from the teachers' perspective, experiential trips must be way more work and exhausting.
I respect you all, teachers.
"They say in the old days, trips were about broadening your horizons by directly experiencing different cultures..."
Seo Jae-kyeom asked from beside me as I sighed.
"How old are we talking?"
"Around the 18th to 20th century?"
"That's ancient."
"But still. They say Adam Smith wrote The Wealth of Nations after a three-year trip."
"Oh, he went traveling? For three years?"
"Probably."
And he got a pension afterward. So enviable. Seo Jae-kyeom let out an 'ah' like he'd realized something.
"So, free time and money are key? For accomplishing big things?"
"Yeah. Exactly."
Let's give all Koreans enough vacation and generous salaries so we can achieve great things.
What, looking at me you think I can't handle big things?
Hey, give it to me first. Then we can talk.
"Okay, is everyone here? Now we're off to play in the water~"
"Rafting, then food~"
"Meat! Meat!"
"...They'll probably give us bulgogi, whatever."
Kim Ga-eun flashed a rotten smile beside me.
School trip national rule: cram us into a big restaurant called 'XX Hall,' seat the kids, and give every four a bulgogi hot pot.
"Gugu High went to Europe for their school trip, so why are we the only ones...?"
"Parents complained. Said they need to send kids to hagwons, so don't make the trip too long."
"Still fun though, right? Meeting kids from other schools."
See? She pointed at a group of unfamiliar kids pouring off a bus in the parking lot.
It was Gokgok High School, the ones Bang Eun-ji fought with at the rest stop earlier. Their kids, excited among themselves, were already lined up on one side and stared in surprise at our school queuing up.
See? Told you we'd run into them.
Our school in this line, theirs in that one. Arms crossed, glaring it out like a dance battle.
But atmosphere-wise, our school had already won.
Because.
"So handsome..."
Our school had... two tall, striking guys who stood out head and shoulders above the rest, impossible to miss. Plus Ye-su-a, nicknamed 'art king.'
'Even Jeong Na-jun, that flighty guy, has height going for him.'
The Gokgok High kids glaring at our school couldn't help but soften when facing Jeong Eun-seong and Seo Jae-kyeom. The girl at the front whispered to her friend.
"Why doesn't our school have guys like that?"
Those envious stares and gasps peaked the moment Jeong Eun-seong and Seo Jae-kyeom emerged from showers after rafting, slicking back their wet hair.
"Um..."
A few Gokgok High girls, undeterred by our school's girls' sharp glares and circling nearby, finally surrounded Jeong Eun-seong and Seo Jae-kyeom.
"What grade are you in?"
"I feel like I've seen you somewhere..."
"What's your name?"
"Gonna get their numbers."
Ye-su-a plopped down next to me on the bench at the snack stand—she'd raided it for 'appetizers' before dinner—her eyes sparkling.
"Looks like it."
I took the ice cream cone she offered (this... is an appetizer?) and replied half-heartedly.
Why so casual with a friend?
Well.
I know Jeong Eun-seong won't give out his number... but it still feels tense...?
Watching Seo Jae-kyeom get hit on by older girls suddenly feels like middle school again...?
But Jeong Eun-seong looks unfazed?
Am I the only one with a dry mouth for no reason?
'Ugh. Better look away.'
I was shaking out my damp hair—we'd all skipped the coin-operated dryers coolly—when.
"Hey."
A large foot in crumpled sneakers planted in front of me.
Looking up, it was a stranger.
...Gokgok High kid.
Tall, late 170s maybe, droopy-eyed, pretty handsome, but to me he looked just like Park Su-hwan. He stood grinning in front of me.
His friends snickered from a bit away, watching.
The winker.
The one who winked at me at the rest stop.
Fake Su-hwan asked.
"You from the same school as them?"
"Yeah."
"Gogo High? Where's that?"
"Seoul."
"What grade?"
"Second year."
"Same here."
So?
"Can I get your number?"
"..."
...Leaving all those fawning girls around and asking me...?
Hate to admit it, but... is it because I borrowed Ga-eun's clothes...?
I scanned the fake Su-hwan in front of me.
Droopy eyes full of mischief—he must be popular at school.
'Looked like class president earlier?'
Nice personality too, probably.
I could guess the source of that confidence—he never imagined rejection.
But.
"No."
Why trust you with my personal info, fake Su-hwan?
Not 'I'll give you mine, text me,' but 'give me yours'?
How do I know if you really like me or just collecting numbers to mock with friends on KakaoTalk profiles later?
Plus, giving my number hands control to you. Why would I?
That's right.
Me overexplaining a simple number request? That's peak boomer.
Boo: No denying I'm a boomer.
Mer: Listen to this elder, and your info stays safe!
"You could be a scammer or voice phisher. Why should I trust you with my number?"
His face fell at my firm refusal.
"Uh..."
He genuinely hesitated, flustered.
Tsk tsk.
Let this big sis give you advice.
"Next time you want a number... actually, best not to ask at all and just leave people alone..."
That's when.
Jeong Eun-seong and Seo Jae-kyeom slid to a stop beside fake Su-hwan. A wall of tall guys rose, instantly darkening the snack stand.
"Who the hell are you?"
Seo Jae-kyeom picking a fight with a total stranger. Jeong Eun-seong frowning beside him. Through their elbows, I caught the girls who'd surrounded them staring in disbelief.
"...Close the school."
Yeon-hee muttered softly and stepped back. Seo Jae-kyeom asked again.
"Who are you?"
"...And who are you?"
Fake Su-hwan shot back, brow furrowed.
Unlike the real one, he didn't back down from Jeong Eun-seong and Seo Jae-kyeom.
Better than the real deal.
"Me? I'm her husband..."
Seo Jae-kyeom jutted his chin proudly, then glanced at me and switched.
"Aspiring."
"I'm one with her."
Jeong Eun-seong, refusing to lose.
"I'm her friend!"
Gyeong Se-in leaning her head on my shoulder, butting in.
"FYI, to take my friend's number, you gotta be hotter than him!"
She pointed—not at Jeong Eun-seong or Seo Jae-kyeom—but at Lee Seo-jun staring wide-eyed like a cow from over there...
"Hey! What are you doing over there!"
Perfect timing—a potbellied guy yelled from the restrooms.
Gokgok High teacher, probably. He'd been swapping info with our teachers over vending machine coffee, spotted the kids mingling, and came rushing.
"Lee Ji-han, get over here!"
Fearing a fight between schools, the pale teachers shooed us like birds.
As fake Su-hwan was dragged off, he shouted.
"Teacher! Wait! My lifelong ideal type is right there!"
Your lifelong? That's like 18 years...
I patted Jeong Eun-seong and Seo Jae-kyeom, still glaring.
"Not going? Assembly time's almost up."
"Uh, huh?"
"Huh! Let's go!"
"Yeah! Leave this impure place now!"
"Far away!"
"Opposite direction from that school!"
At 'let's go,' they flapped their arms like crazy.
Good thing we weren't chicken high, or feathers would've flown.