Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Frequent Thoughts
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Jeong Eun-seong from Class 2-2, second year, thought.
‘I feel like I've been thinking a lot lately.’
So, today's thought was this.
‘Does Kang Da-hye live two lives all by herself?’
-Failing once doesn't ruin your life.
-People who mock you for failing are losers anyway, so ignore them.
-Not even trying out of fear of failure is way worse than failing.
How does she always say exactly the things that stick in my head like nails? Did they go in one ear and out the other?
Of course, one could argue she's saying it easily because it's not her problem, and that it's all generic self-help book stuff...
But even obvious words didn't sound obvious coming from Kang Da-hye.
They sounded like her own hard-earned lessons from personal experience. Like every word was 100% her sincere belief.
Maybe that's just how I wanted to hear it.
And besides, these words.
‘If you're really worried, study a bit in your spare time. Prepare for the worst case. Every job needs basic knowledge, right?’
I had a feeling I'd heard something similar from Kang Da-hye before. And it had comforted me a lot back then.
Even though this was actually the first time hearing it today.
It might just be my imagination, but her words comforted me then and now.
‘She's right. We can study together. Instead of wasting time worrying.’
And from now on, I'll ignore my brother's advice.
He told me not to talk to her so I wouldn't look pathetic, to act cold and aloof instead—what the hell is this?! I never thought she was pathetic to begin with.
I'll confront him about it tomorrow at the practice room.
Truth be told, holding out without talking to Kang Da-hye was reaching its limit anyway.
Lately, Eun-seong's inner thoughts went like this.
: But is it right for me not to talk to Kang Da-hye? Isn't that a selfish decision based only on my own feelings?
Because.
Not talking to Kang Da-hye → Our classmates notice → Class atmosphere sours → Overall class morale drops → Class 2-2's grades fall → Frustrated 2-2 kids spread negativity to their friends → Other classes' study vibes get ruined → Same chain reaction across schools → Nationwide → Education system collapses → Korean society crumbles.
That's a huge disaster. Gives me chills.
‘Yeah. It's fine to talk a little. I'm not trying to distract her from studying.’
I'm just trying to study for real as friends. We have to study. For Korean society.
Practice hard, study hard. Block UV rays diligently too.
I'll become a decent person.
Not just someone who doesn't look pathetic... but someone you're not embarrassed to be seen with.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "1894, 1896, 1897... I just can't memorize this order no matter what."
"How many times have you looked at it?"
"50 times."
"There's a method for times like that."
"What is it?"
"Look at it 51 times."
"What if I still can't memorize it?"
"Then look 52 times. You'll get it before 520, right?"
"Is that seriously a method?"
"Instead of arguing if it's a method, start memorizing and you'll have one more second to do it."
"No sympathy for a dummy like me suffering?"
"Nope. I'm on the smart side."
"No blood, no tears."
"If shedding tears would help you memorize it, I'd cry happily. But it won't."
She was really pissing me off.
I glared at Kang Da-hye sitting in front of me, but she didn't even snort.
Kang Da-hye clicked her mechanical pencil a few times and said.
"You asked me to teach you how to study. This is my best tip. If you can't memorize it, keep looking until you can."
"How is that a tip..."
The police who visited school that day had searched and found a camera pinned to the bulletin board at the back of the classroom like a thumbtack.
I changed my phone number and, just in case, reset passwords for all my internet sites.
A few parents had called complaining to transfer me, but it seemed to have been smoothed over somehow. Probably because Han Ji-su's mom, the most influential one, didn't step in.
"Real tips never look like tips."
And now, Eun-seong was studying for exams with Kang Da-hye whenever he had time.
Kang Da-hye was truly diligent.
Studying during breaks, during class when teachers chatted, memorizing vocab while lining up for lunch. When I asked what she was listening to with her earphones, it was English listening practice.
Even now, when I arrived at school in the morning, she was already at her desk solving problems. It had been 20 minutes since I sat diagonally in front of her empty seat, turned around, and started studying together.
"No other tips?"
"There are. Memorize instead of looking for tips."
We were heads together, deep in focus.
"What are you doing?"
Kang Da-hye's seatmate, the ugly guy, appeared.
"Kang Da-hye, studying?"
He was annoyingly tall, casting a shadow over the desk when he showed up. Eun-seong, sitting in front, ignored him completely and only talked to Kang Da-hye.
No big deal. Eun-seong was ignoring him right back.
"Ah. I need to study for exams too."
Not even asked, the ugly guy muttered to himself, then paused. Kang Da-hye ignored him, and only Eun-seong glanced up at him.
With his usual unpleasant expression, peeking at Kang Da-hye's reaction, he suggested.
"Kang Da-hye, want to prep for midterms with me? I just started at this academy..."
"Sorry. I already promised this guy."
Kang Da-hye cut him off mid-sentence and pointed her pencil at Jeong Eun-seong. The ugly guy's smiling face stiffened.
"Seo Jae-kyeom, want to join? The three of us?"
No way!
"Uh. Maybe not."
The ugly guy didn't want to either, apparently. Shaking his head, he tried again.
"Weekends?"
"Weekends with Do-yeon."
"Library maybe?"
"No. At Do-yeon's house."
"Too bad... I was gonna go to the library."
"You're not a member. Did you sign up?"
‘She's rejecting him nonstop. Just give up.’
Eavesdropping, Eun-seong smirked inwardly... no, outright giggled.
Hee hee.
"Focus."
Kang Da-hye, uncanny as ever, noticed his wandering mind and flicked his nose with a rolled-up paper. Like treating a naughty puppy.
"Seen 51 yet?"
"No."
"Look now, then."
"You two seem close."
The ugly guy gritted his teeth and butted in.
"Want me to flick your nose too?"
"No..."
"Then study."
He didn't even break even.
Hee hee!
Kang Da-hye glanced back and forth at them with eyes saying ‘Why are you bugging me?’ and returned to her workbook. I thought she'd switch subjects for a bit, but no, back to math.
She always seemed glued to math lately.
"Like math?"
The ugly guy beat me to the question from the side.
Kang Da-hye shook her head and tapped the workbook with her pencil.
"Not really. Just too much I don't know."
"Calling one out of a hundred 'too much'?"
"No, really a lot. I've been doing math all day lately— even dream in numbers."
"Dream in numbers?"
"Yeah. Problem books spread out, numbers... and just solution steps."
Really?
I dreamed of you, though.
Eun-seong thought to himself.
‘Must've been a vivid dream.’
Something that never happened in reality felt like a distant memory from ten years ago. It was weird.
It was already summer, so we were both in summer uniforms... Classroom windows open, breeze blowing in.
Window seat, like now. First row by the window.
I was perched on the windowsill, test papers scattered on the desk, you tugging my tie.
What you said to me then was.
‘Jeong Eun-seong, you...’
"Jeong Eun-seong, not focusing?"
"Ah."
Later for that.
Study time now.
Me and Kang Da-hye. Minus the ugly guy.
Hee hee!