Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Lifetime?
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"Until when... are you gonna hang out with me?"
"Huh?"
"With me... until when?"
Kang Hyun paused for a breath and asked.
Her big eyes grew even wider.
Truth be told, neither Kang Hyun nor Yoon Haneul had ever asked each other a question like this.
At some point, they had started meeting naturally and ended up together by chance. They could have gone their separate ways anytime, but neither had.
Honestly, from Kang Hyun's position, even if she left without a word someday, he had no right to resent her.
Even if she started keeping her distance from tomorrow, theirs was a relationship where he couldn't openly question it or show his sadness.
That was the premise of their friendship, or so he'd always thought.
But now, things felt a little different.
Over the years they'd spent together, Kang Hyun had learned to read her once-inscrutable expressions better than anyone.
She, in turn, knew his quirks inside out—laughing along with him, getting mad on his behalf.
That's why Kang Hyun could now naturally voice such a question.
"Hmm... Never really thought about it."
Her ambiguous reply nearly sparked disappointment, but sure enough, you had to hear a Korean through to the end.
"But... thinking about it now..."
She scooted her chair a bit closer to his side.
Then, feigning deep contemplation, she stared straight through him. Her face outshone everything else in that place, twisted into a cute expression meant only for him.
At last, she smiled and parted her small lips.
"For life?"
"Huh?"
Pew! Bang!
Whatever hesitant response Kang Hyun mumbled was swallowed by the fireworks exploding over the parade procession.
Like those fireworks lighting up the sky, sparks must have burst in Kang Hyun's head too.
Rattle, rattle.
Both their eyes flicked to the vibrating pager.
"Chicken must be here."
"I-I'll get it! Hang on."
Kang Hyun bolted out.
No telling if she'd caught his words, but Yoon Haneul gazed after him with a smile playing on her lips, that much was clear.
Kang Hyun ran into Yoon Chan-rim on the roadside in front of the school gate as he headed out after classes, and they were deep in conversation.
"Tutoring?"
"Sub gig. A buddy of mine asked me to cover for him. Thought of you."
"How old's the kid?"
"High school freshman."
"But... math?"
"Just twice a week until the high school finals. Pay's solid."
"How much?"
"1.3 million."
"I'm in!"
Someone needed a short-term sub tutor and had asked for help. The catch? Only a month, twice weekly for two hours each, and 1.3 million won wired straight to the account.
Normally, he'd be working evenings at Han Hyun-ho's barbecue joint, leaving no room for tutoring. But the place was under expansion, closed for the month—perfect timing.
"If you say yes, head over today, check progress, get prepped, that kinda thing."
"No sweat."
Easy money for a month—1.3 mil? He almost wished it'd last longer.
He could've squeezed it in till graduation, hell, for life.
Lately, he'd been eating out with Yoon Haneul, hitting cafes—his wallet was hurting. This fell right into place.
Only hitch: math. Kang Hyun would need to brush up and carve out prep time.
"Thanks, man. Tutoring from last year's nationwide top scorer? That kid's set."
"It's been ages since I studied math. Hope I'm okay."
"No doubt. Skill like yours doesn't vanish. If you'd gone pro, you'd have a line out the door."
Yoon Chan-rim shot back, then texted Kang Hyun the contact. He fired off a message right there.
They seemed pressed; a reply came quick from the parent.
Talk went smooth as silk.
"They said come now. Got the address."
"Sweet."
"Yeah, thanks anyway. Owe you dinner."
"Nah, I owe you. Hit me up if you need anything."
After parting with Yoon Chan-rim, Kang Hyun swung by the bookstore for a study guide and mock test book, then headed to the address.
"...Fancy."
He muttered to himself as he reached the glitzy apartment complex near Banpo, all twinkling lights.
People strolled by looking loaded. A few walked pampered dogs with glossy coats, brushing past him.
He approached the standout penthouse towering amid the glow. Security stopped him, checked his ID.
"Kang Hyun? Yeah... you're listed."
The guy sized him up top to bottom. Then whipped out a metal detector.
"Quick pat-down, please."
"What's with the wand just to enter?"
Kang Hyun's first time in a spot like this—bewildered. But rules were rules.
"Tiresome..."
After endless checks from the entrance, escorted by a bellboy-lookin' suit, Kang Hyun finally reached the door of his new student's place.
Ding-dong.
He rang. A voice from inside.
-Who is it?
"Uh, Kang Hyun. Here for the tutoring."
-Oh, yes! One sec!
Clunk!
The door swung open. An older woman greeted him.
Kang Hyun bowed lightly.
"Hello."
"Oh, come in. Thing is, ma'am had to step out for something urgent. She really wanted to meet you, but no helping it."
"...Got it."
Housekeeper, probably. Made Kang Hyun think of his own cleaning mom—bitter twinge.
"Should I come back tomorrow?"
"No, no. She told me everything. Young master's inside—say hi, go over lesson stuff, then head out. That's the word."
The "young master" was his student-to-be.
Following her lead, Kang Hyun slipped off his shoes past the ornate entry, down a corridor with pro-level tidy interiors.
"Young master's in the back room. I'll bring fruit if he's settled. Chat away."
"Thanks. What's the student's name?"
"Im Cheol-su."
"Got it. Thanks."
She left. Kang Hyun slung his bag over one shoulder, took a deep breath.
Expansive windows with open views, spotless living room, endless doors.
He stared blankly at it all, snapped to, stood before the door.
As he raised a hand to knock.
"...?"
He froze.
Sniffling from inside.
'Should I go in...?'
Kid inside seemed upset—or maybe fought on the phone? Sounded like crying.
After a beat, figuring it rude to hover, he knocked.
Knock knock. Sniffling cut off; silence fell.
"Tutor for today."
Kang Hyun introduced softly.
"Can I come in?"
He waited quietly, giving the kid space.
After a moment.
Rustling inside, then a small voice.
-...Come in.
Kang Hyun eased the door open.
Creak.
"Hel..."
His hello died as he saw the kid.
High school freshman at the desk, puffy eyes he couldn't hide, bowing awkwardly.
The boy who'd be his student for a month looked eerily like Kang Hyun.
Features, eyes, height, build—even the hair. Like staring at his high school freshman self.
Memories flashed; Kang Hyun approached with an unconscious smile.
But the kid wasn't welcoming—defensive face, voice past puberty cracking heavy as he greeted.
"You're the new tutor?"
"Yeah, knew I was coming? I'm Kang Hyun. Cheol-su, right?"
Kang Hyun sat in the ready chair, extended a friendly hand.
But the kid stared at it blank, like he'd never shaken one.
Then he thrust something at Kang Hyun—plot twist.
'Test paper?'
Kang Hyun gawked at the sudden mock exam shoved his way.
"What's this?"
"Solve it. I'll time you."
"Uh, what?"
Mock test booklet. He'd heard kids tested tutors nowadays, but never dreamed it'd happen to him.
Kid ignored his shock, dead calm.
"Be-gin!"
Phone stopwatch out, hit start—like checking if Kang Hyun qualified. Eyed him: hurry up.
'Cheeky punk.'
But Kang Hyun wasn't average. All those odd jobs, prosecutor's office gigs, college—taught him one thing.
Handling people.
Plus, fresh off mock trial prep frenzy—his tongue was sharp as a razor.
He shut it down firm.
"Nope."
"Why?"
"No contract yet."
"Contract? You're the teacher."
"Labor Standards Act, Article 4. Working conditions decided freely by equal parties. If I solve this now, can't negotiate equal."
"What're you...?"
"I'm not your teacher yet. Gotta settle what/how we'll teach first. That's how it works."
"Pay's good."
"Million or ten million—wrong's wrong. Decisions from unequal spots? Invalid."
"Mom doesn't say that."
"...?"
"She told me to do this."
Kang Hyun inwardly tsked at the grumbly kid.
Im Cheol-su really seemed white as snow—head empty. Not malicious, just clueless kid. Coddled like fluff in a rich house, grown like a potted plant.
Kang Hyun felt pity mixed with envy, complicated.
And mom ordered it?
That hit harder.