Chapter 42
Chapter 42
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: The Completed Translation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
42.
For two months, Kang Hyun and Yoon Chan-rim met whenever they had time and threw themselves into the work without a word.
If such days kept repeating, most people would have struggled to cope.
But he was the type who wouldn't have started in the first place if he planned to give up.
It was something he'd resolved to accomplish no matter what, so Kang Hyun went about his tasks calmly and steadily, as always.
One weekend.
As usual, they met at nine in the morning and holed up until three in the morning, continuing their translation work and material selection.
"Let's wrap it up before dawn and grab some late-night food."
"Yep."
Kang Hyun was impressive for handling such a murderous schedule, but Yoon Chan-rim was even more astonishing.
Genius types like Yoon Chan-rim sometimes lacked stamina or willpower.
Their talents were so exceptional that they could produce results beyond their efforts in short bursts, achieving their goals without much strain.
Yet Yoon Chan-rim was unexpectedly tenacious—once she latched onto something, she stuck with it to the end.
Three months in, after Kang Hyun finished selecting materials and Yoon Chan-rim completed her rough translations.
It was around the time the eagerly awaited school festival began.
To push toward completion without a hitch, they doubled down on their efforts.
Yoon Chan-rim handled German at a professional level, while Kang Hyun was the law expert.
Their synergy was tremendous. Page by page, the original text was translated, and the pace quickened.
The more they did, the less fatigued they felt—instead, they produced increasingly professional, high-quality translations.
One page, then another.
First, about ten percent was interpreted, then thirty percent of the translation was done.
Next came half.
The compendium rapidly took shape.
By then, ideas for its structure and layout popped into Kang Hyun's mind even during classes or meals, leaving him lost in thought, staring blankly.
Tap tap.
"Hyun, did you choke on your rice?"
"Huh?"
"What're you doing? Eat your food."
"Oh, Si-hyung! Sorry, I'll head out first."
"Jeez, you don't even tell me what you're up to. PC bang again?"
"Yeah. Heading there."
There were countless times when Kang Hyun barely touched his food, lost in immovable contemplation.
One unexpected variable was Yoon Haneul occasionally dropping by their 'workspace' to watch, chat, and order food before leaving.
"You're doing well?"
"Huh? When did you get here?"
Kang Hyun hadn't told her about the project, yet Yoon Haneul casually showed up at the PC bang where he worked.
He wondered how she knew but figured Yoon Chan-rim must have mentioned it, so he played it off.
Yoon Haneul and Yoon Chan-rim.
At times, they seemed like a couple.
Honestly, Kang Hyun was curious but never brought it up or asked. It hurt his pride somehow.
The image of her heading home with Yoon Chan-rim or saying even a single word to him first before leaving wouldn't fade, but he kept telling himself it was none of his business.
"Made a lot of progress?"
"Yeah. Almost done. You skipping yoga today?"
"Yeah, teacher's sick."
"Gonna game?"
"Yeah, I like games."
She wore a frilly off-shoulder dress. Dressed more brightly than usual, she echoed Yoon Chan-rim's exact words and tone, which irked Kang Hyun, but he forced himself to ignore it and focus on work.
Oblivious to his reaction, Yoon Haneul fetched a blanket, wrapped herself up, propped her feet on the chair, leaned back slightly, and watched the computer monitor to pass the time.
Time flowed on to late May.
The day of the school festival arrived.
The PC bang was unusually empty because of it.
Music and laughter from outside seemed to echo right to Kang Hyun's ears.
Even so, Kang Hyun and Yoon Chan-rim remained calm.
'Just a bit more.'
At a frightening speed, Yoon Chan-rim delivered near-perfect professional translations, which Kang Hyun refined with precision and accuracy. The cycle repeated.
The emerging 'masterpiece' might not match top translators' work, but it was accurate in content and nailed every key point.
In other words, it surpassed mere classroom use—it was something special.
After typing away in silence for a while, Yoon Chan-rim stretched and glanced at Kang Hyun.
"Hyung, this is the last one. Send it right away?"
"Yeah, seriously, we're done!"
The final translation came in, and Kang Hyun began his last edit.
Since it was the end, he poured every ounce of ability into it with utmost care.
Sure, he could recite legal codes in his sleep and rattle off articles effortlessly, but this was a different beast.
It wasn't just from diligent, step-by-step study.
Interpretation skill was merely the baseline. What mattered was the judgment to pursue it and the will to persist until results emerged.
What student would get permission from the original author, translate it themselves, compile it into a resource, and distribute it for free?
Yet Kang Hyun conceived it instantly, prepared what was needed, sought help right away, and executed.
Anyone would call it astonishing.
"...Done?"
"Shall we upload?"
They planned to post the materials on 'Eta', a college student community.
Once up, students could freely access, use, and benefit from it.
"It's good!"
"Hyung..."
"You worked hard."
A few clicks.
Finally, a compendium like a secret manual—passed down to juniors for years—was completed and made available to all.
"It's finished!"
Kang Hyun and Yoon Chan-rim let out small cheers of satisfaction.
At the start, there had been a vague anxiety that it might be impossible.
They hit snags trying to speed up, being novices, and Kang Hyun even considered quitting out of guilt toward Yoon Chan-rim.
But they'd pulled it off.
The pride from facing known difficulties head-on, without quitting or dodging—that indescribable joy.
And it was possible because Yoon Chan-rim joined him.
"You did great!"
"You too, hyung. Thanks for not giving up."
They comforted each other once more.
"I'm the one who should say that. Festival's first day, and it's already past midnight."
Regrettably, time had slipped into the wee hours.
The materials wouldn't get noticed until after the festival, so the post drew no immediate reaction.
'But we're really done!'
Without looking back, they packed up and left the beloved PC bang that had been their studio for months.
The thrill of never needing to return.
It was a crisp refreshment, distinct from the pride of completion and posting.
Late into the night already.
Yet the festival buzz lingered—college streets pulsed with trendy music and songs as groups lingered over drinks.
Then, amid them, Kang Hyun spotted someone approaching.
Yoon Haneul was hurrying toward them.
"Huh?"
"Noona!"
Yoon Haneul's cheeks were slightly flushed. She'd been enjoying the festival with people but must have split off—black short exposed-shoulder outfit with a jacket thrown on.
"You drank?"
"One glass."
"You can't even hold your liquor..."
Kang Hyun cut his words short, embarrassed at sounding competitive with Yoon Chan-rim.
Thinking he hadn't finished, or perhaps with intent, she gazed intently only at him.
Then, abruptly turning to Yoon Chan-rim, she said,
"Don't you have plans?"
"Huh?"
"You have plans!"
"Oh... right, I do!"
"Huh?"
"See you tomorrow, hyung!"
Yoon Chan-rim suddenly raised a hand and bolted toward the college district like his life depended on it. He was so fast, it looked like he was rushing to the bathroom.
"He didn't mention any plans..."
As Kang Hyun muttered, Yoon Haneul, standing beside him, grinned and gripped his wrist firmly.
"Let's go home."
"Yeah, I'll walk you."
"Okay!"
The intersection exiting the college area still glowed faintly, quieter than near school. Stray from the path, and only streetlights twinkled.
It was a thirty-to-forty-minute walk to Yoon Haneul's place. Kang Hyun planned to crash at Woo Si-hyung's, so no bus worries.
Walking along the road, as cars whooshed by, Kang Hyun cautiously spoke up.
"You got close friends in our department?"
"Law faculty? Yeah, you."
"No, besides me."
Kang Hyun indirectly probed about Yoon Chan-rim.
Truth be told, he'd seen her hang with others since school days.
She'd always been popular, surrounded by good-looking people.
Her playing with Yoon Chan-rim was no different. So Kang Hyun thought he'd brush it off, but why?
His mind wouldn't stop.
What was her relationship with Yoon Chan-rim?
Boyfriend for real?
Café chats, their lively talks excluding him, heading home together sometimes.
It kept nagging at him.
Kang Hyun had tried ignoring her relationships, but doubts arose. Buoyed by today's confidence, perhaps? He finally voiced what he usually wouldn't.
"No, just... wondering how you know Yoon Chan-rim."
"...?"
Yoon Haneul's eyes widened in surprise, blinking as she pondered.
After a moment of silence, Kang Hyun grew impatient.
"Forget it, don't mind."
He tried to backpedal in panic.
On the quiet street, embarrassment he couldn't control with any skill left him flustered. Him, always confident before professors.
Then,
"Ah."
Yoon Haneul halted, clapping her hands.
Kang Hyun awkwardly stopped too, and she wore a rare, subtle expression.
Even then, her face lit by the streetlight struck him as mysterious and beautiful.
Teasingly, she asked,
"Why do you wanna know?"
"No, just. How you know Yoon Chan-rim. I didn't tell her about this, but she showed up..."
He couldn't quite say, 'Are you dating him?' Trailing off unlike himself, Yoon Haneul walked ahead without answering.
"Yoon Chan-rim bothering you?"
"What?"
Her casual retort made Kang Hyun's face flush red on reflex.
He felt weird for the sour twinge inside, and more so for being exposed.
But Yoon Haneul suddenly smiled brightly at his fluster.