Chapter 32
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Handling Trash Head-On
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A hush fell over the room in an instant.
It wasn't some earth-shattering declaration.
Not like saying he wanted to be president or UN Secretary-General back in elementary school days.
Or claiming to become an idol like Yu Eun-ha.
By middle school, kids who were known for studying a bit would talk about becoming doctors or lawyers.
It wasn't all that rare.
The problem was that the one saying it was me.
The home economics teacher, and even the kids in class who only knew me by looks.
None of them saw me as the studying type.
Kids who knew I read weird major books like quantum mechanics might think, "Huh? Does this guy actually study?"
"Uh... Han Kyung-jun studies?"
"I figured he'd dream of going to a sports university..."
"Yeah, with that height and build..."
Most just saw me as a tough-looking delinquent.
Of course, ever since the Lee Ho-kwon incident, I hadn't caused any trouble, so that image was fading in our class.
But my appearance still screamed anything but studious.
Boxer, wrestler, soccer player—those fit better.
Well,
It's not a bad vibe.
Just a bit awkward, that's all.
If I were tight with the class, they'd probably just laugh it off normally.
That's why.
"......"
More than anyone, the one who openly bragged about her dad owning a hospital.
The confident 'Park Rachel' who declared she'd become a doctor.
She couldn't look at me kindly.
In other words, I'd pulled massive aggro.
"Oh... really? So Kyung-jun wants to be a doctor like Rachel?"
I nodded silently at the home economics teacher's words and continued my presentation.
"Of course, I have no intention of going to med school."
Shock rippled across everyone's faces again.
I savored their expressions while keeping a straight face.
"What does that mean...?"
"I will go, but not straight from high school entrance exams."
Ways to get into med school.
Most think of taking the CSAT right away.
But surprisingly, many med students didn't go directly from high school.
"I'll apply to KAIST first, graduate, then enter a graduate medical school."
The route called med grad school.
"At KAIST, I'll go through the freshman undefined major track, then enter Life Sciences in sophomore year. Because unlike other med students, I want to study not just medicine, but the foundational aspects of life itself."
Back when I attended KAIST.
Watching from afar the noble path of the ultimate loser med student.
"Then, through med grad school or transfer routes, I'll enter med school, get my license. Precisely, I'll study hard for practicals and written exams to pass the national medical licensing exam. After a one-year internship, residency, and three years of specialization training, I'll choose my specialty."
As my words continued, the faces around me shifted more and more.
"By the way, Park Rachel said she'd follow her dad into plastic surgery. Sadly, I don't think that's for me."
At first, they thought it was a joke.
Honestly, from my image, it sounded like total bullshit to anyone.
"Usually, those 'minor' specialties—oh, not minor because they don't make money, but in med school terms, fields not directly tied to life sciences."
The more they listened, the more detailed it got!
Truth is, it was all scraps I picked up from the loser med student.
I'd never even been near med school, let alone passed it.
However,
To middle schoolers clueless about college entrance.
"Wh-what...?"
"He's seriously preparing?"
"Is he really a middle schooler like us?"
"Whoa..."
It felt incredibly detailed and impressive.
Going exactly as planned.
So, keep going.
"Anyway, minor specialties are iffy for big hospital fellowships, so you have to go commercial hospitals. The famous ones have insane competition, so people take loans to open clinics or, like Park Rachel, the so-called 'royals' join their parents' hospitals. But I don't have the cash to open one or the guts to borrow."
The details might seem impressive to middle schoolers.
But it's all pointless talk.
This was time to present my future from 10 years ahead.
Not the life of plastic surgery grads.
The purpose of these words was singular.
"Someone with a plastic surgeon dad probably knows way more than me, right?"
"...?!"
A direct strike at Park Rachel.
Basically, I was shading her like this.
—You said AB's a money-making plastic surgeon.
—And you'll inherit the hospital.
—Surely you know more than someone penniless like me?
No way Park Rachel misses the implication.
"Since I don't have anyone to ask like you do, hope everything I said is right."
What she learned from her dad was probably just: study hard to get into med school.
And they make bank.
Study, and the hospital's yours.
That's it.
"......"
......Nod.
As expected, Park Rachel could only nod silently.
Couldn't even open her mouth.
Because she didn't know.
No matter how much she bragged about her dad or studying.
She's just a middle schooler.
She wouldn't want to get exposed as clueless in front of everyone.
"Anyway, unlike Park Rachel, for various reasons, I'm aiming for Medical Science—the lowest-paid department no one wants."
Without putting her down at all.
"There, combining KAIST's life sciences major and med school's medicine, I want to advance medicine itself, not just treat for cash."
I'll make her trash by comparison.
"I'll probably never make big money. But that's fine. From young, my dad taught me not to chase money blindly."
And your dad too.
"My dad went bankrupt during the IMF crisis, then supported me and my mom for 10 years through stock investments in that mad world of greed."
True story.
That's why 2008's financial crisis was our family's biggest trial.
We really struggled then.
But Dad never showed weakness at home.
A great man, truly.
"His words hit hard: chasing money loses it. Take the path others don't."
A small cough to refresh the mood.
"Inheriting his beliefs, with my love for science and interest in medicine."
Bullshit.
Never properly studied medicine once.
First year at KAIST, I got a C- in general biology.
"Not just saving one patient now, but advancing medicine to save all patients worldwide."
A brief pause.
"In 10 years, I want to be that great person."
Wrap it up.
Sit down quietly.
No applause.
No explosive reactions like the ethics debate.
Just jaws dropped, "......"
"Uh, well..."
Even the teacher couldn't properly praise.
Kids might not get it yet.
But an adult, motherly home ec teacher would.
She'd spot the intent in my presentation.
Praising me would trash Park Rachel.
I never insulted her directly.
But her own words did it.
She's the kid dreaming of money-grubbing, nepotism plastic surgeon.
Can't scold me either.
No grounds.
Not malice or jealousy.
Just overwhelming moral superiority crushing her.
That's why the frontal assault is terrifying.
"G-good presentation, Kyung-jun... Here's your score. Everyone, clap."
Clap clap clap...
In the end, the teacher kept minimal courtesy and moved on.
I don't mind.
She's a teacher I like, and good at her job.
Maybe pushed her too hard.
But the best part was.
"......"
Lee A-ram's expression, staring at me.
"......What were you thinking? Why would you do that...?"
She looked utterly baffled.
"Why? Just sharing my dream."
I shrugged it off casually.
"......"
Lee A-ram lost her words again.
Like she'd gone mute.
While waiting for her to recover, I glanced past her long straight hair.
-Haha... R-Rachel, that guy's weird, right?
-Yeah, all talk. Bet he sucks at studying.
-Th-the problem child. The one who smashed his wrist, now dreaming big doctor?
Park Rachel looking defeated, her maids trying to cheer her.
And by chance?
"......"
Our eyes met.
I didn't look away.
Just stared back like her, confirming.
Her eyes swirled with shame, rage, humiliation, hatred.
All aimed at me.
Lee A-ram, recovered, saw it too.
"......Now she'll go apeshit on you for sure."
She warned me.
"Yeah, probably."
From my school days experience.
Easiest way to avoid bullying: not making them unable to bully you.
Make someone else the target.
In round 1, I was too lame for that.
Our Deok-woo, ignoring my presentation to rewatch anime.
He tanked aggro for me multiple times back then; that's how I learned.
Thanks, Deok-woo.
Because of you, instead of 20 hits each in our 20s, we split 10.
Lee Ho-kwon's handled by delinquent me now, don't worry.
"You knew and still did that presentation?"
Lee A-ram scolded like she was mad.
Voice low for class time.
But I felt her unexplained anger.
"How petty is she? Now it'll shift from Eun-ha to you—every class break, fake snipes, spreading bullshit rumors, backstabbing, suddenly crying to the teacher about you bullying her, total chaos...!"
"Yeah?"
I just shrugged lightly at her emotional warning.
"Well, easier for Yu Eun-ha then. Gotta treat her later."
That moment, Lee A-ram stopped fuming.
Realization dawned.
"Ah..."
Her blank face narrowed her eyes.
"......You did it on purpose."
Nailed it.
Two people who hate each other.
Inssas would try reconciling them.
Going through hell.
But no need to reconcile.
Wrong approach.
Reconciliation's just inssa greed.
Prevent fighting altogether.
By inserting a new opponent: me.
That's the assa solution.
"On purpose...?"
And for an assa like me,
"Who knows?"
This is the frontal assault.