Chapter 95
Chapter 95
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: Do Ha-jun's Broadcast Confession
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Drama protagonists have such strong wills. They seize success even in situations way worse than mine.
They tutor tenants while supporting their sibling through med school and end up becoming judges themselves.
I guess I wasn't on that level.
I thought I'd done absolutely everything I could, but in the end, I couldn't succeed—
So I can't let this miraculously granted second chance slip away.
-Tutoring? You're doing it?
"Can't I?"
-Of course you can!
My ear was going to fall off. I scowled and pulled the phone away from my ear. Seo Jae-kyeom kept chattering at the top volume.
-When should we start? Today?
"You said we'd begin during break."
-Oh, right. We did. What days? What time? When works for you?
A loud thunk came through the phone, like Seo Jae-kyeom had kicked something.
He was definitely cozy at home, but it felt like he was spinning circles around me right now.
At least one of us was excited.
-So you're really doing it? You can't change your mind this time, got it?
If you do, I'll cry! Seo Jae-kyeom, bursting with excitement, hung up.
I awkwardly glanced around at the suddenly quiet surroundings, then rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand.
Yeah. If not now, when else would I get to try tutoring? I'm in no position to be picky.
A tutor recommended by Seo Jae-kyeom's mom has to be skilled. What's a little discomfort?
No more negative thoughts. Think positive.
Korea University. Maratang with rose tteokbokki and extra corn cheese. My house under my name, with insanely high ceilings and sunlight flooding in every morning. A scruffy Maltese. Me presenting flawlessly in English to a million people. 2.7 billion won.
"Sniff..."
The situation is tough, sure, but resenting the fact that I wasn't born into a household like Seo Jae-kyeom's won't change anything.
Either way, right now, the only one who can save me is me.
I'll definitely succeed. Succeed and...
Fix this rotten world!
Bam!
"Mom! I'm home!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "What's wrong? Bad mood?"
"Not a bad mood, exactly..."
Stuffed.
I wrapped both hands around my belly and hunched over. My enthusiasm had been overflowing since yesterday—I scarfed down a ton of today's school lunch (menu: jjajang rice), ran around like crazy, studied hard, and now I felt healthier...
The problem was eating too much.
"Why is school lunch so tasty?"
"School lunch is tasty?"
Jeong Eun-seong echoed my mutter with a puzzled look.
I'd clearly seen him piling his plate mountain-high with fried rice at lunch, but now he was pretending it hadn't been good.
"It is tasty. School lunch."
"Only when it's good."
"When's it bad?"
"When they serve fish katsu with that white sauce."
"Ah..."
Yeah, even I can't stomach that.
Panting as I stared at my book, Jeong Eun-seong plunked something down in front of me. It was the chocolate milk that had become our daily routine. But today, instead of taking it, I shook my head.
"I have milk."
Banana milk from Seo Jae-kyeom.
This guy got so hyped about the tutoring that he came to my desk first thing this morning and yammered on: 'I'll be your Korea University tutor, we'll use these textbooks, homework this much...'
He hadn't even played basketball at lunch lately because of the heat, but today he grabbed the ball and bolted right after eating.
Jeong Eun-seong's face soured at the bottle-shaped banana milk I'd pointed to.
"Why'd you buy it? I was gonna give you one."
"Didn't buy it. Got it as a gift."
"From who?"
"Would you even know?"
Of course you'd know. But let's not tell him for now.
"Don't drink that. Bad for you."
"Chocolate milk's bad for you too."
"Not this one. This is lactose-free, low-sugar chocolate milk."
"You full of it?"
"For real. Look."
"Get it outta here."
We were tussling over the ingredients list on the back of the milk carton when—
Tap, tap.
-Uh, uh. Mic test.
"Huh...?"
I looked up at the sudden sound.
Someone was prepping a broadcast from the speaker mounted in the classroom ceiling corner next to the TV.
"What's this? During lunch?"
Teachers announcing something?
"Hey, everyone, quiet down. Broadcast's starting."
At my words, the chattering classmates fell silent and looked up at the speaker.
I figured an announcement was coming soon, but—
-Argh, I'm nervous...
"What the...?"
The voice didn't sound like a teacher's. That frivolous tone, too.
What teacher would hook up a mic for a broadcast and go 'Argh'?
Bad vibes.
At this unexpected turn, even the studying kids and those wandering the halls focused on the broadcast.
-Phew...
The mystery voice sighed into the mic, the popping sound echoing across the playground.
Yeon-hee, sitting behind me, whispered.
"Isn't that Do Ha-jun?"
"Do Ha-jun?"
"Kinda sounds like it. Isn't Do Ha-jun in the broadcasting club?"
"Nah. Drama club."
"Then maybe not?"
-Hello, fellow students of Gogo High School. This is Do Ha-jun from Class 2-2... watashi...
"...It is."
What the hell was he doing up there?
I glanced around—the whole class wore baffled expressions.
Kim Ga-eun, catching my eye, mimed puking. Do-yeon plugged her earbuds back in like she couldn't care less, while Ye-su-a and Gyeong Se-in's eyes sparkled, sensing something fun.
And over there, Jang Ji-won leaning on Park Su-hwan...
She was shaking, shoulders trembling as she fought back laughter while looking at me.
This was ominous.
-The reason I'm standing here right now is to do something with a certain gi#)($rl...
"What'd he say?"
"What'd he say?"
-First off, I want to thank Jang Ji-won for making this possible and giving me the courage...
"Jang Ji-won, did you tell Do Ha-jun to do this?"
A guy from the front row asked her. Her face strained to hold in laughter as she nodded.
"Yeah. Ha-jun said he had something he really wanted to say in front of everyone."
"What is it?"
"Just listen."
-To any students startled by this sudden broadcast, this is a crucial matter in my life, so bear with me just a sec...
"Oh, is it an acceptance speech or something~?"
"Why's he like that."
"Get to the point~"
-Hey, Kang Da-hye.
"......"
"......"
The classroom went dead silent in an instant.
Kids froze mid-task and slowly turned to me. Jeong Eun-seong, standing beside me, muttered, "What the?" I stayed stock-still, staring at the speaker.
A chill ran down my spine.
-Bet I startled you calling your name out of nowhere, huh? Haha. Figured as much.
"......"
-But I bet you kinda expected it to some degree. What went down between us wasn't just my imagination.
"......"
-Honestly, things weren't always great between us. When you acted all high and mighty or framed me over drama club stuff, I felt shitty...
"......"
-But the day you approached me first when I was worn out? That's when I knew.
"......"
-I knew you could understand my complex inner world that others can't grasp easily and make me smile.
"......"
-You're a bit sensitive and immature, sure, but that's something we'll work out together, right? I'll teach you plenty.
"......"
-Ahem. Uh, embarrassing. I'm not great with mushy stuff like this.
"......"
-So maybe I'll let a song speak for my feelings. It's not perfect, but I practiced hard, so listen close. Zone out and you're dead?
Bang, bang-bang. Ahh. Mic test. This song's for you, little kid Kang Da-hye.
Soon, the OST from that drama that blew up last year flowed through the speakers.
-Maybe~ I'm drunk or something~
In Do Ha-jun's voice.
I clapped a hand over my mouth.
-Maybe it was a mistake~~~
"......"
-SorryifIruinedeverything...
"He's lost it..."
Yeon-hee cursed softly behind me.
Yeah, he's really snapped.
Don't tell me he's about to con... con...
No. It's fine.
He hasn't dropped the decisive "those words" yet. As long as he doesn't say that, we can just write it off as Do Ha-jun being crazy and somehow move past it.
...Though we really can't...
What do I do? Should I rush to the broadcasting room and cut the mic now?
Even as panic set in, the song kept playing.
-I've loved you from the start!!!! Yeah! Love you like this~~~~~ Kang Da-hye, you listening?!
"......"
-My clumsy! Words~ might sound corny and unreliable, but they're not just empty↗
Do Ha-jun took a deep breath and wrapped up the song.
-Like this, I
-lo,
-ve,
-yoooooooou...
-Whooo~~~~
Clap clap clap. Do Ha-jun's self-applause echoed faintly.
-Ahem.
No way.
Please.
-Kang Da-hye from Class 2-2!
Please, please, please...
-Go out with me, kiddo!
"Ah..."
Ah.
Ah...
AH!!!!!!!!!!