Chapter 89
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: The Changed Kim Sun-woo
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On the evening of the opening ceremony, which felt strangely eventful, the social club met up—Moon Woo-hyuk and Song Ha-na's group.
They didn't usually gather on weekdays, but everyone showed up to see Kim Sun-woo's face, which they hadn't glimpsed even once over break.
He'd said he was heading to the UK and sure enough, left right when vacation started and only came back now that it was over.
The group normally met in the cafe garden, but since it was evening, they gathered indoors today.
"Sun-woo's vibe is totally different now, right?"
"What? When did you even see him?"
The social club was abuzz with talk of Kim Sun-woo, even though he hadn't arrived yet.
Moon Woo-hyuk wore a distinctly sullen expression.
He slammed down his teacup and grumbled.
"It's protagonist syndrome. Total protagonist syndrome. What time is it?"
"He texted earlier saying he'd be late from school. Why are you picking a fight?"
"That's all bullshit too. What appointment could that guy possibly have?"
Just as Song Ha-na was about to snap back at Moon Woo-hyuk's unusually prickly attitude, someone pushed open the cafe door.
Ding.
The person greeting the staff politely was the social club's last arrival: Kim Sun-woo.
"Hey. Sun-woo!"
"Whoa, two months?"
Kim Sun-woo strode in with a bright smile.
He shook hands warmly with the other members.
"Long time no see. Hope you all stayed well."
Something about Kim Sun-woo's presence as he walked in felt different—an unmistakable aura.
He naturally took the empty center seat.
The moment he sat, the members swarmed him with questions.
"You seem like your vibe's changed or something?"
"Whoa, did soaking up that UK air do wonders for you?"
At one member's comment, Moon Woo-hyuk muttered under his breath.
"Changed, my ass. He's the same."
"Nah, it's different. Even his hair's different."
When even Song Ha-na chimed in saying he'd changed, Moon Woo-hyuk grabbed his teacup to cool his boiling frustration.
Kim Sun-woo scratched the back of his head with that same old sheepish smile amid all the attention.
Only his eyes seemed different somehow.
Was it the hair?
His bangs used to cover his forehead, but now they'd been swept up halfway.
It made his handsome features shine even brighter.
Moon Woo-hyuk got even pricklier over these obvious changes.
The problem was that this prickliness had started that morning at the opening ceremony.
Song Ha-na, who'd been stuck with him all day, was about to lose her mind.
Should I just smack him upside the head?
"Is it the hair? You look... more mature somehow."
"Yeah, yeah. He was never really childish to begin with."
Everyone stared intently at Kim Sun-woo, delivering their analyses.
When the members kept hounding him relentlessly, Kim Sun-woo gave a troubled laugh and said,
"Hmm, really? Guess living on my own in the UK built some independence."
"You were alone? Why?"
"Oh, well."
Kim Sun-woo scratched his head, looking embarrassed for no real reason.
He hadn't meant to hide it, but somehow it had turned out this way.
"Actually, I went to Broadway."
Song Ha-na and Moon Woo-hyuk spat out their tea in shock at his answer.
Broadway wasn't exclusive to America.
London had its own Broadway scene dominated by musicals.
"What!?"
"What?!"
Worried about misunderstandings, Kim Sun-woo waved his hands hurriedly.
"I just went as a rehearsal partner. Never even got on stage. Feels weird bragging about it now."
Song Ha-na wiped her mouth with the tissues the staff brought over and pressed him.
"How'd that happen? Didn't you say it was because of your dad?"
Her tone sped up, clearly thrown by Kim Sun-woo's out-of-left-field Broadway stint.
"Yeah. He arranged a quick audition spot back then, so I went—and got lucky and made it. Was a great experience."
Moon Woo-hyuk's face hardened instantly at those words.
Last semester's anxiety over Lee Do-hyun's debut had barely wrapped up.
Now Kim Sun-woo seemed several steps ahead again, and unease flooded in.
"Whoa, that's huge. No wonder your vibe's different."
"Damn, I don't get it fully, but that's wild."
The kids from other departments, clueless about the musical world, just gawked at Kim Sun-woo in awe.
"You didn't mention this on purpose 'cause of your protagonist syndrome, huh."
Moon Woo-hyuk glared sharply, but Kim Sun-woo just laughed it off like it was a fond joke.
It wasn't entirely a joke for Moon Woo-hyuk, who quietly chewed his lip.
After the commotion died down, Song Ha-na regained her composure and said,
"Anyway, glad you look all in one piece. No contact, I was starting to think you'd been kidnapped or something."
She'd figured he was just ghosting over break, but who'd have thought...
"Haha. Thanks, Ha-na."
And Kim Sun-woo just laughed easily, carefree as ever.
"Sun-woo, you look taller too. What'd you eat over there?"
At another member's comment, Kim Sun-woo fiddled with his hair.
"You think? Fingers crossed."
Moon Woo-hyuk snorted and shot back.
"Not like I'll ever catch up anyway."
"Haha, true that. Genetics, man."
"Bragging just 'cause you're freakishly tall?"
Moon Woo-hyuk bristled at Song Ha-na's pitying tone.
"Did you just diss my dad?"
"Pfft, please. How's that dissing your dad? Your dad's tall and handsome—you're just. Tall."
Moon Woo-hyuk and Song Ha-na bickered as always.
Kim Sun-woo watched the familiar duo with delight after so long.
***
A few days after school started, once all classes ended, I hurried to the club room.
Last night on my way back, I'd double-checked the text from Chae Si-hyun.
[Club room location: Musical A Building Room 401.
OT time: Thursday 5:30-6:30
Supplies needed: A mindset ready for volunteering.]
Wonder who'll be there.
The rich kids won't freeze me out, right?
I chuckled despite myself.
I'd adapted decently to Cheongyeom Arts High, but knowing what kind of place this was made me a bit tense.
With that light worry, I knocked on the club room door.
Knock knock.
"Come in," came a voice from inside.
Creak. I opened the door to find Song Ha-na, Kim Sun-woo, and Moon Woo-hyuk already seated.
There were first-years from other majors, plus some seniors.
Mostly musical majors, and a handful of top-tier chaebol heirs from other departments.
Figures. All the rich kids flock here.
Still, having three familiar faces eased my mind.
"Hello."
I bowed politely to the seniors, then scanned the room.
Spacious space, freshmen dotted around.
Where to sit.
That's when I spotted Song Ha-na casually nodding toward the seat next to her.
Surprisingly considerate in moments like this.
I quickly slid into the spot beside Song Ha-na, immediately feeling Moon Woo-hyuk's piercing glare.
Here we go again.
I tried my best to ignore it.
"You guys finished at the same time as me—how are you here so fast?"
"You're just slow."
We'd all sat through Huh Ji-woong's closing assembly together, yet somehow these three had beaten me here.
I whispered to Song Ha-na, only to get a curt reply.
Then Chae Si-hyun entered the club room.
Everyone's attention snapped to her.
Even on a second look, her presence was overwhelming.
For someone on their second life like me to call a high schooler impressive—what was her deal?
"Nice to meet you all. I'm Chae Si-hyun, president of the volunteer club."
The room erupted in applause.
"As you know, this isn't a club just anyone can join. People call it the spot for rich kids."
Whoa. She just says it straight out.
I was honestly surprised.
Some members looked smug at her words.
The musical trio didn't seem fazed.
Still, Chae Si-hyun must be loaded too.
That aura and swag only come from rich families.
It felt similar to Song Ha-na's.
No—even stronger, if anything.
Made me feel like the only normal one here, a bitter pang rising.
"Forget the outsiders' stares. What matters is how you view this club."
Chae Si-hyun locked eyes with each first-year.
Like lasers were about to shoot out.
She met mine too.
No guilt on my end, but her gaze still made me flinch.
"Some of you might be here for the 'volunteer' line on your high school record. Image boost? Fine. But if you want that title, you'll earn it with equal effort."
Ooh, coming in strong.
Just like she said.
Volunteer clubs had become the domain of well-off kids chasing student records or image polishing.
The freshmen looked bored at her words.
Chae Si-hyun scanned them and spoke firmly.
"This is a real volunteer club."
Her voice boomed—surprisingly large and solid.
No strain, yet it filled the room with weighty resonance.
What?
It was like she was declaring herself above chasing such titles.
"If you don't want to volunteer, leave now."
Curious at her tough stance, I glanced at the others' faces.
Song Ha-na and Moon Woo-hyuk right beside me looked subtly annoyed.
Kim Sun-woo seemed unfazed, relaxed.
Speaking of, Kim Sun-woo had felt different since yesterday.
What happened over break?
His swag was even more pronounced.
"Any questions?"
At Chae Si-hyun's question, I instinctively glanced at Song Ha-na.
Normally, she'd shoot her hand up like the question mark assassin.
But today, she just sat with arms crossed, silent.
Full of complaints, sure—but no real rebuttal.
It was a volunteer club, after all.
"Assuming agreement, let's start OT."
Chae Si-hyun began the basic club rundown.
"Our volunteer club has over 30 years of history. We do steady stage-related volunteering, and this year, we're specially planning dance therapy for nursing homes and mental hospitals."
Diving into volunteer plans on day one?
Unexpected. Not what I'd pictured.
I'd at least thought it'd be rich kids' brag time first.
Recounting history or name-dropping alumni.
"We have a nursing home volunteer this weekend. The name is..."
Her tone wasn't warm, but the details were meticulous.
Listening, she even reminded me a bit of Huh Ji-woong.
Above all, she seemed more serious about volunteering than anyone here.
"That's it."
Having laid out the detailed plans, Chae Si-hyun stood tall before the first-years' varied expressions.
"Got it, first-years? Come this weekend with the right mindset."
Volunteering, huh.
I'd joined hoping to chat with the once-in-a-generation talent Chae Si-hyun.
But properly doing some good for once didn't sound bad.
Feels like if I didn't, this absurd regression perk might get revoked or something.
Perfect.
That aside... was Chae Si-hyun keep looking at me while talking? Nah, just imagining it?