Chapter 182
Chapter 182
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 182
Chapter Title: Mock CSAT Results
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I hurriedly drove over. Along the way, I parked perfectly within the lines before heading straight to the elevator.
10th floor, 9th floor, 8th floor... Today, it felt like the descent was dragging on forever. I kept checking the time on my phone. I wouldn't be late, right?
The thought of missing an important event made my heart race with impatience.
Ding.
The moment the elevator doors opened, I stepped in briskly. I punched the floor button and hammered the close button.
After a brief wait, the doors finally opened, and I turned right to stand in front of the door.
Phew.
I checked the time—right on the dot. Good thing I wasn't late.
Beep beep beep.
I entered the door lock code and flung the door open.
"Oh? You're here, you're here!"
"Right on time."
Bustling voices came from inside, followed by footsteps rushing to the entryway.
"Good work~."
Jeong Da-on greeted me with a big smile,
and Baek Jae-ha eyed me with a hint of worry.
"You're not a little late, are you? You didn't rush, right?"
I kicked off my shoes and got straight to the most important thing.
"They didn't announce it without me, did they?"
"Pfft. First thing you ask?"
"Of course."
"Don't worry, we haven't done it yet."
Jeong Da-on chuckled.
Phew, what a relief. I couldn't miss this once-in-a-lifetime event.
"What's so important about this...?"
Baek Jae-ha muttered, looking a bit embarrassed.
"It's hugely important."
"Damn right."
Baek Jae-ha scratched the back of his head sheepishly as Jeong Da-on and I nodded.
"Alright. Now that Woo-yeon's here, shall we get started?"
"Woo-hoo~."
Jeong Da-on and I sat at the living room table while Baek Jae-ha ducked into the bedroom. What he came back with was...
The CSAT mock scoring sheet!
"This isn't official, though. I might've marked something wrong."
Baek Jae-ha added it like an excuse.
Thump thump.
My heart squeezed tight with pain. No wonder— this was the result of months of hard work.
Of course, it wouldn't match the results of students who'd prepped for years.
Baek Jae-ha had been putting off the mock scoring until now, so Jeong Da-on and I had promised to do it together today.
"I'm shaking so bad. What do we do?"
"Phew. Okay. I've got the answer sheet downloaded."
Jeong Da-on and I were all fidgety, but Baek Jae-ha stayed calm as ever. He sat across from us and pulled out a red pen.
"Start with Korean. Humanities type."
"Got it. Hang on."
Jeong Da-on let out a sigh and began calling out the answers one by one.
"1 is 1. 2 is 3. 3 is 1. 4 is..."
Click, click, click, click.
I couldn't believe my eyes. What was going on? Red marks were raining down on the sheet like crazy. Even so, missing the first Korean question? That's rough.
My daze didn't last. I glanced at Jeong Da-on's phone screen and realized the issue right away.
"Hey! These are the social sciences answers!"
"Whoa. You're right!"
No wonder nothing matched. Felt like I'd aged ten years.
"Sorry. Let me call the humanities ones again. 1 is 2, 2 is 1, 3 is 3..."
Swoosh, swoosh, swish.
The pen's rhythm changed this time. Circles piled up steadily, lifting my spirits too.
"4 is 5, 5 is 4, 6 is..."
Jeong Da-on's voice echoed on for a good while.
Korean: 2nd grade, Math: 3rd grade, English: 1st grade, Exploratories: 3rd and 2nd grades.
That was Baek Jae-ha's mock CSAT report card.
"Better than expected, huh?"
"Yeah. Turns out the basics are solid."
"Worried since you started late, but now I can breathe easy. This should get you into a Seoul uni, right?"
I chattered excitedly, happy as if it were my own score. What? I knew Baek Jae-ha was a genius with cooking ideas, but studying too?
Staring at him anew, he smirked and said,
"I always loved class time."
Class time?
Don't most kids hate it? Tilting my head, he added quietly,
"No one bullied me there."
"..."
That answer hinted at the pain he'd endured.
Island villages are small and insular. Living without proper guardians—what that means hit me again.
"I'd go to the library during lunch."
A familiar story.
I knew why.
"...The pests finally shut up."
I murmured softly, and Baek Jae-ha looked surprised. Our eyes met, and he smiled brightly.
"Yeah. That's why I loved the library. I'd read books, pretend to study by flipping through textbooks. Naturally picked up stuff that way."
How could I not get it?
I reached out and ruffled his hair wildly.
"?!'
Grinning wide at his shocked face, I said,
"You did great."
The CSAT prep, those tough days—all bloomed today because he endured.
You were always a flower ready to bloom. Like I saw before regression. Steadfast even when trampled and spat on.
I just gave a little support, and here we are, fruits already.
Made me so proud.
"Alright. Time to show off my skills? Jae-ha, you got the basics here, right?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah."
"Why the blank stare? You've delivered ingredients a few times but don't know your way around. Just explain simply. I'll whip up something tasty."
Sleeves rolled up, eyeing the ingredients for instant ideas. Jeong Da-on chimed right in.
"Whoa~! What an honor? Handmade by Song CEO himself."
"You bet. Family pride."
"Oh, skip the chicken feet and tteokbokki. Sick of 'em from the shop."
"Got it. Jae-ha, you?"
Poking his shoulder, he jolted like he'd snapped out of it.
"Huh?"
"Any foods you hate?"
"...Anything's fine."
"Cool. Then."
Fridge check: stocked with just about everything. Had he been developing new menu items at home?
Pondering group eats, I blurted,
"How about jjimdak?"
Steam rose gently, the dark brown chicken glistening slickly.
Glass noodles below soaked up the broth—could guess the flavor without tasting.
"Whoa, insane."
Jeong Da-on's eyes sparkled as he smacked his lips.
"Dig in."
As soon as I said it, Jeong Da-on scooped jjimdak onto plates. Watching, I turned to Baek Jae-ha.
"Your break for CSAT prep's ending soon. Need more time? Take another week if you want."
"No. I'm good. New hires are in—I can't just slack."
Baek Jae-ha replied calmly.
"Right. Haven't met the rookies yet? Twin siblings, both talented. You'll be busier with school. Use 'em then."
Baek Jae-ha's strength was 'ideas.' Priceless ones he could generate without even being in the kitchen.
Refine his ideas to trends with Han-hae, implement with Han-byeol.
Perfect triangle.
"Sounds good."
Exact uni depends on regular admission counseling, but as long as it's in Seoul, no issue juggling.
Pride swelling, I ruffled Baek Jae-ha's hair again as he ate.
Such a good kid.
"?"
Just grinned at his puzzled look.
"Nice. Hanging like this together."
Year-end vibes, huh.
I'd never been a winter fan.
Shivering huddled every winter. No money meant skimping heat to scrape by monthly.
But now, coming winter and cold snaps held no fear.
"Jae-ha. Year-end, wanna catch the sunrise? Just us?"
"Sunrise...!"
His face flushed a bit. Yeah. Never had real family outings like this. Like me.
"Hey! Include me!"
Jeong Da-on wedged in.
"Going solo, you two? What about me? Ditching me post-CSAT?!"
"You stick with Boss Han. Where you coming?"
"I'm not a kid—don't always tag with parents. Sometimes with friends."
Jeong Da-on stubbornly insisted on joining. Looked ready to tail us if refused.
Pfft. Couldn't help smiling at that.
"Fine. Three of us then."
"For real? Promise?"
"Yeah. Just get permission from Boss Han."
"O~key. Piece of cake."
Watching his bright grin, I thought,
'Han-hae's changing year by year.'
Pre-regression, busy with pointless networking. Last year, Bong Kang-min's restaurant but alone ultimately.
Now, friends for year-end. Year's progressing differently.
A few more years, maybe family gatherings.
That change made me smile.
Ding.
Until that one email, yeah.