Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Mom Crit (2)
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They were probably reaching their limit too.
Before that blew up.
"We're working on our performance assessment homework together right now."
I quickly added, gesturing to my computer screen.
My screen was filled with several tabs of those archive papers I'd looked at earlier.
Of course, since they were in English, they were gibberish at a middle school level, so I'd run them through Google Translate.
Still gibberish, though.
The key was making it feel like this was a game—no, like actual "studying."
While Mom's gaze shifted to my computer.
"Hong Ja-hee. Didn't you tell your mom?"
I swiftly turned to Hong Ja-hee.
"I'll explain for now, so keep searching for data."
I made sure Mom heard clearly right next to me.
"What was it again? The one you said would be good for you to present—the bullet principle of the Terran Marine from UED."
I rolled my tongue like it was tricky, making it sound like technical jargon instead of game talk.
"Uh, uh? That was..."
"You said it at school today. Something about degradation."
"Ah."
With my subtle hint, Hong Ja-hee finally caught on.
If she knew stopping mine was cheating, she'd have memorized every detail of the game's lore.
"It definitely uses depleted uranium rounds..."
"Right, that. Depleted uranium. In English, depleted uranium."
I glanced to confirm Mom was watching, then continued.
"You said we should compare its atomic weight—235 or 238—to iron's, right?"
"Uh, yeah? Yeah!"
"Then we can calculate the momentum difference between using iron and depleted uranium, and you present that. I'll do the math. For you, uh, find some photos suitable for the science club CA class."
"Uh, uh... Y-yeah..."
"But we should think about the downsides too. Since it's uranium... You know, that science thing you mentioned. Not EMP, the other one."
I gave her the cue.
Come on, get it.
"Ah, ah! Irradiate?"
Yes, that's it. Good catch.
"Right! It's radioactive, super bad for the body! Uranium, yeah. Similar stuff... It one-shots any bio unit, even mutalisks...!"
"Good point."
I cut her off before it sounded too gamey.
"We can present the harmful effects of radiation on the body too. They use radiation in cancer treatment, right? How about linking that to real-life benefits, along with the downsides?"
"Y-yeah! G-good!"
With that, I turned back to Hong Ja-hee's mom.
"Sorry, Ja-hee's mom. I don't have a computer at home, and PC bang time is limited. I ended up keeping her standing."
"No, it's fine... But what are you doing right now?"
It worked.
She was finally showing real interest.
At this point, it was practically half-cleared.
"We have CA next week. Ja-hee and I both picked science club, but unlike other CAs, science club actually involves studying."
"R-really?"
"Yeah, so for science club, they told us to prepare a presentation for the first day, unlike others."
"Presentation?"
"Yes. The science teacher said to research and present real-life applications of science. Plus, I'm prepping for science high school."
I emphasized "science high school" clearly.
I even adjusted my glasses with my index finger to look the part.
"So, with grades and my student record, I want to prepare properly. Sorry for borrowing your daughter without permission. It's a group presentation, and she's the only science club kid in our class."
I bowed a third time.
This one, I clasped my hands and bent nearly 90 degrees to seem genuinely apologetic.
"Oh, no, it's okay! No need to bow like that. Lift your head."
Hong Ja-hee's mom awkwardly raised my head.
That sealed it.
No wonder sales pros say to make the other person feel awkward first.
"Anyway, our Ja-hee in science club... She hates studying..."
"No, Mom."
From here, just handle her like any tutoring parent.
"Ja-hee may not know much about studying, but she's really into science."
"No way. She only plays games at home, and she's a girl."
Couldn't agree this time.
I tilted my head instead.
"Hmm, really? I'm getting tons of help from her right now."
"Really? From our Ja-hee?"
"Yes. Thanks to her, I learned StarCraft is a game mixing scientific facts with imagination. She called it science fiction, like Star Wars..."
"Oh, I know. My husband loves that stuff."
"Really? So Ja-hee takes after her dad. Does he work in engineering...?"
I trailed off suggestively.
"Oh my, how did you know? He works at Sa-seong Electronics, sort of~"
"Wow, Sa-seong Electronics. That's my goal for science high school... Ja-hee must be thrilled."
I gave an envious wry smile.
"Oh, you. Science high school with Ja-hee's grades~?"
"Hmm, really? After talking with her, her science comprehension seems insane..."
"Really? Our Ja-hee?"
"Yes. Without her, I couldn't have found this topic. She's great with computers too—I'm hopeless since I don't game."
"Aigoo, all that gaming must be useful somehow~"
As I hyped Hong Ja-hee.
Her mom hopped on, laughing like a neighborhood auntie. Oho ho!
"She is good with computers~ Games all day at home."
"Haha. Maybe Ja-hee has talent not just in science, but computers—programming, coding..."
"No, dear. That's for vocational college kids."
"Ah, yes..."
In 2008, programmers were coding slaves.
Engineers weren't much better.
But big corps like Sa-seong Electronics or Han-da Heavy Industries changed that.
IT giants hadn't peaked yet.
Especially post-dot-com bubble, parents saw computer jobs as trash.
They couldn't foresee the future.
Just 10 years later, non-IT meant you're out.
"That guy? Lee Cheol-su or something. Doctor who makes computer vaccines. Just in case, haha."
"Oh, right. He did. Amazing how machines have viruses and vaccines~ Will Ja-hee go med school for that? Oho ho! Her grades say no."
"Come on, she's just middle school. Grades aren't everything yet."
"Oh, you~ You speak so nicely."
I steered to med school—moms melt at the word.
"Haha, so once homework's done, I'll learn gaming from Ja-hee. I'm terrible with computers."
"No, don't learn useless stuff~ Games addict you, make you sick."
I stuck to mom-pleasing topics, keeping the chat going.
"Okay. Finish that presentation well~ Ja-hee, no long gaming after. Mom's letting PC bang slide this once? Got it? Next time, no mercy."
"Yeah, got it! I'm busy now."
"Attitude with Mom? Tsk tsk tsk. Sigh, then Kyung-jun?"
"Yes. Han Kyung-jun."
"Right. Kyung-jun, take care of our Ja-hee. Ja-hee, less games, learn from Kyung-jun, okay?"
"Ugh, fine."
"Always 'fine.'"
"Ow! Why hit me!"
Hong Ja-hee got ladled on the head.
Not hard enough for a bump, just annoying.
"Mom'll pay at the counter. Call if late! Don't stay long! These two students?"
She left a 10,000 won bill, covering my fee too.
The storm finally passed.
"Argh, so embarrassing...!!"
Hong Ja-hee messed her hair, burying her face in her knees.
Must be mortifying.
Getting scolded by Mom in front of strangers, broadcast live.
To a classmate, who fixed it.
She tried, though.
Her screen showed searches like "uranium bullet principles," faking study mode.
After burying her head, she recovered.
Awkwardly turning, fiddling her bangs, shyly.
"Hey, but... fuck, thanks. For saving me..."
Grudging thanks.
"Your silver tongue's insane. Felt like pro sales. Mom was brainwashed."
"That's what you say after I save you?"
"For real! I almost got brainwashed too. Sales pro. Crack on. CA assessment. Not gaming. Ja-hee allowance saved. Godsend."
She antenna-fingered weirdly.
Ridiculous, childish—peak middle school.
"Huh, leaving?"
"Yeah."
Slide.
I pocketed my glasses, grabbed notebook and bag.
Incident resolved, split—quest clear.
"Ah."
Sudden thought.
"Hey, Hong Ja-hee. What CA did you pick?"
"Huh? Movie club, zero work..."
"Change it. To science club."
Snap.
Bag on, ready to go—thanks to her mom.
"What bullshit. Why join boring club... Ah."
She got it.
I dropped judgment.
"How about some science study while we're at it?"
"Aaaah!! I'm screwed!! Nooo!!"
She collapsed on the PC bang floor, despairing.
That bad...?
Well, which middle schooler wouldn't hate it.
I'm the weirdo wanting to study post-regression.
After parting with Hong Ja-hee, I checked my status window at home.
[Sub Quest Mom Crit! has been successfully cleared.]
[Basic Reward: Acquired 1 Life Point.]
As expected, quest cleared on parting, reward given.
"Huh? Wasn't there more?"
Something about controlling Hong Ja-hee freely.
[Hong Ja-hee's Wish Free Use Voucher (No money-related, No impossibles) can be claimed directly from Quest NPC Hong Ja-hee.]
"Figures."
I chuckled in disbelief.
Even the status window can't puppeteer people freely.
Not sure if I'd need it anyway.
For now, claim from her if needed.
"Alright, more left. Status window."
Rewards weren't over.