Chapter 90
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Hiking Lesson and Luxury Volunteer Bus
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Before dinner, I headed to the practice room for my lesson with Ji-woong.
Ji-woong was already there, sitting and waiting.
I had no idea why he told me to wear gym clothes, but I'd changed into them anyway.
"Hey, you're here."
For some reason, Ji-woong was dressed in gym clothes too.
He greeted me in his usual nonchalant way, then suddenly turned to look at me, his eyes widening.
"Hold on a sec."
"Y-Yeah?"
He came right up to me and started poking and prodding at my body.
"What are you doing?"
I was just taking it casually, like it was no big deal since it wasn't the first time.
"Your body's improved a bit, huh? Gym clothes look different on you now."
I glanced down at the spots where Ji-woong was touching.
"So my physical training is finally paying off."
It was true—compared to the start of the semester, my body was in way better shape.
No more flab, and I'd definitely bulked up.
"It's better, sure."
Ji-woong stopped prodding, stepped back, and looked me over from head to toe.
"But you're still a 17-year-old body. You need to build it up more."
With that, Ji-woong jerked his head like always.
I got the cue right away and snapped to attention in my usual spot.
Some might think it was too early in the semester for lessons, but I'd already come a few times during break, so it didn't feel like that.
"Starting with resonance today, like always."
"Got it."
Ji-woong went straight to the piano and sat down.
It was the same resonance exercise we'd been doing since the semester began—to get used to it.
Nothing special about it.
Just hum an "ahh" along with the accompaniment.
But it wasn't as easy as it sounded.
I had to focus on the resonance in my mouth and head, keep feeling it, and maintain the sensation.
Ding—
I inhaled as Ji-woong pressed a key, then opened my mouth.
"Ahh—"
I followed his accompaniment.
The melody rose gradually, just like I expected.
"Ahhh—"
I tried to pack as much air into my lungs as the pitch climbed.
Inhale sharp and deep inside.
Then let it out.
"Ah—ah—"
As your torso grows, the vessel that builds pressure naturally expands.
Which means you can send more air upward.
"Pull more, more."
"Ahhh—"
That lets you sustain notes longer, louder, with resonance holding steady.
"Good, keep it going just like that."
I pushed out as much air as I could, following Ji-woong's lead.
"Ah—"
Suddenly, my lungs felt maxed out.
But my voice stayed steady—no waver yet.
Way past the point where it would've cracked at the start of the semester.
Now it really felt like the end. The limit.
"Hah—"
I exhaled the last breath.
"No need to drag out resonance practice anymore."
Resonance drills were boring by nature.
Not like singing an actual song.
More like stretching.
But I'd done it every single day without fail.
Ji-woong felt a fresh surge of pride for his diligent student.
"Really? Was it okay?"
I'd thought I'd improved lately, but I didn't expect to pass muster with Ji-woong.
Getting personal validation from your teacher beat self-assessment any day.
Still miles from my pre-regression level, but his praise put me in a great mood.
"Yeah, a bit. Next, scales."
"Yes!"
After a few runs with his accompaniment, the piano cut off abruptly.
"Alright, that's it for today."
"Huh?"
The practice felt way too short.
We'd barely warmed up—I was totally thrown.
Why stop now? This wasn't like Ji-woong.
"It's not even been 30 minutes..."
"Got something else planned today."
"Like what?"
Ji-woong eyed my outfit and grinned.
That look made me uneasy.
"Outfit's perfect."
He tossed me a water bottle without another word.
"Hold onto it."
I stared blankly at the bottle in my hand.
I glanced back and forth between it and Ji-woong's face, and he grinned before speaking.
"Semester starts with a hike, right?"
Ji-woong looked genuinely thrilled.
This wasn't even his style.
"Right now...?"
It was around 5 p.m.
Even in summer, we'd have about three hours of daylight left.
And dinner was coming up soon—did he plan to starve me?
My face must've looked wrecked because Ji-woong let out a dry chuckle.
"Don't make that face. I'll buy you something tasty after."
Sometimes it felt like he could read my mind.
Wait—tasty stuff. Not again.
This time, I shot him a real suspicious glare.
"Not burgers again, right?"
"Eat whatever you want this time."
"Sweet."
I grabbed the water and headed out, lost in happy thoughts about food.
Definitely hot pot after a hike.
Man, it still sucked that I couldn't drink makgeolli yet.
We left the practice room and headed toward the mountain when Ji-woong casually asked,
"But you don't like burgers or what?"
Ugh.
***
Maybe because it was the start of the semester, the week flew by.
Master class started next week, and test announcements for other subjects would probably drop then too.
Felt like I'd just coasted through without doing much.
Weekend rolled around already.
How many years since I last did volunteer work?
Today was the volunteer club's first activity.
Pre-regression, I was too busy with my own life to care about stuff like this.
Probably not just me.
They'd chartered a whole bus for the club to head to the site.
"Hey."
I got to the pickup spot on time, and Kim Sun-woo, Moon Woo-hyuk, and Song Ha-na were already there.
"Yeah. Hey."
Kim Sun-woo smiled back,
"Not late, I see."
Song Ha-na was her usual prim self,
"Yo."
And Moon Woo-hyuk his usual cool.
Same old crew even in second semester.
At least I knew people—small mercy.
I sidled up and stood quietly beside them.
But everyone's outfits for volunteer work...
Not just the musical trio—kids from other majors and years all looked loaded.
Still high schoolers, but decked out in designer gear.
That's why they wear uniforms, huh.
In a rich-kid spot like Cheongyeom Arts High, no uniforms? Us normies would shrink into oblivion.
The bus pulled up right on time.
"Everyone made it without being late."
Chae Si-hyun stepped off, scanning the club members.
Under President Chae Si-hyun's lead, we checked attendance and started boarding.
Others went first, leaving the four first-year musical kids last.
Song Ha-na, Moon Woo-hyuk, Kim Sun-woo, and me.
Sun-woo and Woo-hyuk boarded, and as Ha-na was about to, she spotted me standing there dazed.
"What're you doing? Get on."
I hadn't even thought to board—still staring at the bus.
Was this really the volunteer bus?
It was just...
"A limousine...?"
Didn't even look like a regular bus.
First time seeing one—two lifetimes combined.
Looked insanely expensive.
Sure enough, the logo up front was Benz.
The kind pro sports teams use for away games.
So ironic, taking a ride like this to volunteer.
Wait, or is that how they can even do it?
Still...
Caught in a sudden dilemma, a sharp voice cut in.
"What? Stop standing there like an idiot and get on already."
Song Ha-na snapped at me and boarded.
She looked totally at ease with it.
Like the bus had to be this nice.
Calm down. Mind control.
I swallowed hard and got on.
Sat in an empty spot—seats were huge.
Not the usual two-by-two; singles with space between.
Two per row max.
This was basically luxury travel.
Felt like I was the one being volunteered for.
Makes sense—the club ran on parents' money.
Not really about pure charity, and a nice ride didn't mean skipping the work.
Their cash, their call.
Might as well enjoy.
I sorted my thoughts quick and fiddled with the seat buttons.
Cooling/heating, reclined almost flat.
Screen up front with a pad for videos.
Isn't that airplane stuff?
Hold up—I'm back at 17, so it's 2015.
And it has all this?
Gawking and poking around when a welcome voice hit.
"You haven't eaten breakfast, right? Here's some bento—eat up good."
Bentos passed from front to back; even holding one briefly, it was piping hot.
Packaging looked premium too.
Heart pounding, I popped the lid.
"Ooh."
Cube steak and salad for breakfast? Nice club.
The savory aroma hit hard—I speared a piece of meat and shoved it in.
"Mmm."
Instantly knew: top-shelf beef.
Felt a prickly stare, glanced over—Song Ha-na, one seat away, staring without touching hers.
Eyes full of wonder and a hint of shock.
Meat melting smooth in my mouth, I said,
"This."
"What."
"Hanwoo, right?"
She let out an exasperated chuckle.
What's her deal?
I'm serious.
"What, you think it's American?"
Spot on.
My palate doesn't lie.
Taste is for those who've eaten it—or in my case, so rarely that it's sharper.
Hanwoo steak for breakfast.
Volunteering might be worth it.
Devoured the salad too.
Set the empty box down, steeled my face dramatically, then shot my hand up.
"What?"
Chae Si-hyun asked like I had business with her.
Her aura made me flinch, but no backing down.
"Any chance."
"Yeah?"
Even the quiet eaters turned to me and her.
"Got any extras?"
Everyone burst out laughing the second I finished.
I just figured they ordered plenty—don't want leftovers going to waste.
No ulterior motives.
"Puhaha!"
I heard that.
Kim Sun-woo laughed loudest.
Meanwhile, Song Ha-na next to me scowled like she was embarrassed for me and whispered,
"You here to eat?"
"Why not? President said eat hearty. Gotta fuel up breakfast-style to volunteer hard."
She shook her head at my shamelessness.
"Wipe the sauce off your mouth first. Please."
Heh.
I quickly swabbed my mouth.