Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Debate Prep and BBQ Reunion
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Kang Hyun and Woo Si-hyung left the classroom and headed to a nearby café.
"I'll cover it. I'm getting an iced Americano—what about you?"
"I..."
Woo Si-hyung hesitated for a moment before pointing clearly at his order.
"Flat white with an extra shot."
Woo Si-hyung had a cute, kind-looking round face that gave off a slightly spineless and quirky vibe.
On top of that, the small gold-framed glasses he wore didn't exactly scream intellectual—instead, they just amplified that classic "total nerd" look.
But talk to him even briefly, and you'd quickly realize how logical and assertive Woo Si-hyung really was.
That impression became even clearer once they started their meeting to prep for the debate.
"...Treat this debate like facing two opponents. It's not just about beating the other side—it's about winning over the audience too. The key is striking a balance between being relatable and sticking to the core principles."
Kang Hyun just nodded along as Woo Si-hyung explained at length.
Everything he said was well-structured, logical, and easy to follow.
[I picked a good teammate.]
Kang Hyun didn't show his satisfaction outright, but he felt more and more confident about his choice.
"You're right. We need to practice approaching the arguments with both in mind. I'll probably be working evenings, but if you let me know the times, I can clear my schedule—just tell me."
"How about we meet tomorrow and just assign roles for starters?"
"Sounds good. Let's do this."
After hashing out a rough plan and jotting it into their phones, Kang Hyun made sure to thank him again.
"Thanks a lot. It's an honor to be on the debate team with you."
"...The honor's mine. I've been watching you for a while. I'm a fan."
"Huh?"
"I'm serious. A real fan."
Woo Si-hyung dropped the bombshell casually, then rubbed his nose, a bit embarrassed.
"You were famous at Korea High back in high school. The way you put those Hanram High punks in their place, and took down the New Legend Faction. I went to Hanram High."
Hanram High punks meant the lowlifes stealing from the library. New Legend Faction was Eom Seok-ho and Teacher Park Hyuk-su's mess.
"It wasn't a big deal."
"No way—I heard every story about you and didn't miss a single one. It was awesome. Back in high school, the world felt so small, like no one could ever take down people like that."
He blushed like a shy fan confessing to their idol and awkwardly gave Kang Hyun a thumbs-up.
The situation turning a tad awkward, Kang Hyun quickly changed the subject.
"Nice to meet a fellow Hanram alum! Guess we grew up pretty close by."
He already knew they were from the same rough neighborhood, but Kang Hyun played it cool, gauging Woo Si-hyung's reaction.
"...Probably not. I live in an off-campus goshiwon now. Come by whenever."
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah, I moved here from pretty far away."
Kang Hyun caught the instinctive chill in his tone and decided to save the mom talk for later, just nodding.
"Got it. Thanks for the invite. Ready to head out?"
Kang Hyun and Woo Si-hyung were standing up to leave when—
Thwack.
"What the hell!"
The guy who'd farted was the one getting mad. Whoever slammed into Kang Hyun's shoulder spun around, swearing.
"Shit, which bastard—oh, it's you again?"
Realizing it'd been Kang Hyun, Park Hyun-woo's face twisted even more as he stormed over with a feral glare.
"Oops, I went and bumped the shoulder of the nationwide top College Scholastic Ability Test scorer. My bad."
"You always pissed off or something?"
Kang Hyun shot back sharply at the irritated tone and mocking words.
Park Hyun-woo huffed harder, ignoring Kang Hyun and turning slightly toward Woo Si-hyung standing beside him.
"Huh? There you are. Shit, weren't you joining my team? What're you doing here?"
"I-I..."
"Speak properly, you punk!"
The vibe turned hostile in an instant, and Kang Hyun stepped between them.
"What's your problem?"
Park Hyun-woo shoved Kang Hyun's blocking arm aside and spat curses at Woo Si-hyung.
"You punk! Didn't you say you weren't taking Professor Cheon Woong-jae's class? That's why I got rejected, right?"
"...Changed my mind."
"Then help me out, damn it! You're joining this punk's team? Argh, I oughta—"
Park Hyun-woo couldn't hold back his rage and made a move like he was about to grab Woo Si-hyung.
Smack.
Kang Hyun blocked it.
"Hey! Let go!"
"I'll let go when you back off."
Kang Hyun gripped the arm Park Hyun-woo had raised, locking it in place. The guy retreated a few steps, fuming helplessly.
Only then did Kang Hyun release his hand and speak.
"Was there a reservation system for team picks? And why're you flipping out over Woo Si-hyung's choice?"
"What?"
"People are watching. Cut it out before it reaches your famous dad's ears."
Park Hyun-woo's already contorted face exploded into fury.
"Think acing a few tests makes the world your playground? Hey, Kang Hyun."
"What."
"You stole Woo Si-hyung! I already talked it over with him! You're the one who snatched my teammate!"
"Hah... You don't get it. Woo Si-hyung's not an object."
"You damn gutter trash!"
Park Hyun-woo whirled around with a savage scowl and kicked the door open on his way out.
Café patrons turned, staring at his retreating back with clear disgust.
Kang Hyun stood quietly for a moment, then spoke to the shrunken Woo Si-hyung.
"You okay? Were you actually set to team up with him before?"
Woo Si-hyung shook his head at the question.
"No. He just assumed."
"Then why's he acting like that?"
"He offered money, so I turned him down politely. Guess I should've been blunt."
"He offered you money?"
Kang Hyun was floored and incredulous as he comforted Woo Si-hyung.
"He's even crazier than he looks."
That gave him one more solid reason to crush the guy in the upcoming debate.
After class, there was one place Kang Hyun bolted straight to.
Meat Alley, reachable by getting off the subway a few stops early before home.
"You're here!"
"Congrats, President Han Hyun-ho!"
"Quick on the congrats! Heh."
Their faces lit up with joy as they shook hands after so long.
Han Hyun-ho had opened his BBQ joint with money he'd scrimped and saved.
It wasn't huge, but it was his first venture, and Kang Hyun—knowing every grueling day of his relentless grind—cheered him on wholeheartedly.
Odd jobs, deliveries, studying without slacking to snag certifications, building from there to work and pay off debts.
His path differed from Kang Hyun's in method, but the direction was always the same.
That's why Kang Hyun and Han Hyun-ho still respected and valued each other deeply.
"Heh, having you here is my real win. No worries about learning the ropes—it's not hard. Today, treat it like a milestone: eat up and head out."
Han Hyun-ho's offer to help out at the shop hit just right for Kang Hyun, who'd been pondering his next gig.
"No way, I insist! I'll at least bus tables today. Teach me the rest step by step."
"Sheesh, you said you could start next week! Seriously, just eat today. Or wanna grab a drink now?"
As Han Hyun-ho pulled out a chair, Kang Hyun grinned.
"Place is hopping. I'll roll up my sleeves and work hard to make it boom even more."
"Haha, yeah! Let's make it huge!"
Han Hyun-ho laughed along with Kang Hyun, then shifted his expression.
"Oh, Kang Hyun. Didn't you work at the prosecutor's office?"
"Yeah. Why?"
Kang Hyun tilted his head at the sudden question. Han Hyun-ho nodded toward an inner table.
"Over there—Central District Prosecutors' Office? They're having a company dinner. Thought maybe you knew some faces, so I asked."
"Huh?"
Kang Hyun's face lit up, heart pounding.
"Trial Division folks?"
"You know them?"
"Yeah. Know 'em all."
Kang Hyun beamed with delight and crept up carefully behind the suited man in the middle of the drinking crew.
Kim Jeong-min the prosecutor sat there, tie loosened, drunk and animated, as Kang Hyun sneaked up for a surprise, holding his breath. The people across the table had already spotted him, eyes widening. Kang Hyun put a finger to his lips—shh.
"Prosecutor!"
"Whoa, you scared me! Who—Kang Hyun?"
Grinning ear to ear with a bow, Kang Hyun got warm greetings from everyone around the table.
"Kang Hyun!"
"What brings you here?"
"Whoa! Special guest alert!"
"Oh my gosh, it's really him!"
Kim Eun-hye, the clerk he hadn't seen in ages, jumped up and hugged him tight. Cheers and applause erupted.
"Man! How'd you know we were having our division dinner?"
"The Trial Division mainstay's here!"
Kang Hyun returned the greetings warmly amid the welcome, but Kim Jeong-min fumbled awkwardly.
"Hey, this kid can't drink! What're you doing here, young'un?"
"Prosecutor, I'm twenty."
"Already?"
"Hahaha!"
Laughter boomed across the table.
"You punk. So, you tried booze yet?"
"Nope, too busy—no time."
"Aw, can't be helped! Sit here. Booze is best learned from adults!"
Kim Jeong-min patted a seat, and the others chimed in, making space for him.
"Uh, I actually came for a part-time gig..."
Kang Hyun trailed off sheepishly, and Han Hyun-ho winked, watching fondly.
Just like that, they merged tables.
Kang Hyun felt a deep swell of long-dormant pride, making him feel great.
Meeting the prosecutors was like returning home to familiar faces.
Especially how every staffer welcomed him openly with genuine joy—that meant the world.
"Hey! Customers! You know Kang Hyun?"
Catching on, Han Hyun-ho hurried over and bowed to the group.
"I'm the owner—sorry I didn't greet you properly!"
Kim Jeong-min eyed Kang Hyun and Han Hyun-ho back and forth, squinting his drunken gaze.
"You two know each other?"
Han Hyun-ho thumped his chest heartily.
"You bet! Close buddies. Hell yeah! Service on the house—plenty of it!"
Cheers and applause exploded as Kang Hyun scratched his head, smiling warmly.
"Man, gotta make this my regular spot!"
"Kang Hyun, you rascal—you've got great friends!"
"No wonder the meat here's so damn good!"
"Hold up!"
Drunk Kim Jeong-min shot to his feet.
"Round two's right here!"
"Yay! Two more beers!"
"Soju too!"
Amid the even rowdier crowd, Han Hyun-ho tapped Kang Hyun's shoulder with a sly grin.
"Hey, you've already earned your keep."
"Huh?"
"Look at all these new regulars."
Han Hyun-ho dashed off excitedly to grab bottles, and Kang Hyun, caught up in the vibe, lifted a glass too.