Chapter 17
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Siwoo's Changes
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Im Hyunsu disappearing from school happened in the blink of an eye.
The day after the assault incident, the school was thrown into complete chaos.
Im Hyunsu's parents rushed to the teachers' lounge and bowed their heads, pleading desperately in front of Siwoo's parents. But Siwoo's parents remained resolute.
"A settlement? Look at the boy's condition. You think a few bucks can fix this?"
The usually mild-mannered, good-natured father turned away coldly without even glancing at their faces. Meanwhile, his mother relentlessly submitted petitions to the school right up until the school violence committee convened.
But the outcome was completely unexpected.
Before any disciplinary decision could even be announced, Im Hyunsu had already submitted his withdrawal letter to the school.
Of course, the investigation would continue even after his withdrawal. Whether out of shame or sheer refusal to bow his head to Siwoo until the bitter end, he vanished from the school without so much as a goodbye.
That left just one empty desk sitting forlornly in the back row of Class 8, Year 1.
But the hollow emptiness of that vacant spot paled in comparison to how much lighter the air in the school felt now that the malice he'd spewed was gone.
"Hey, Nam Siwoo! Pass!"
Lunchtime on the dusty playground.
Juwon's booming shout echoed as the soccer ball cut through the air and rolled right to Siwoo's feet.
If this had been the old days, he'd have panicked and lost possession. But Siwoo calmly extended his foot to stop the ball dead.
His form was still pretty awkward, though.
"Ugh!"
Siwoo tried for a flashy pass, but his right foot slammed into the innocent dirt instead of the ball—with all his strength.
Thud!
The dull sound of him hitting the ground after that mighty kick brought silence to the playground.
"Puhaha! Legendary physical comedy right there."
"No, seriously... how do you just drop a random gag like that outta nowhere?!"
The key difference from before? None of the laughter aimed at Siwoo carried any sharp mockery or ridicule.
Glancing sideways, even Juwon—who'd been ribbing him—couldn't stifle his grin. The defenders from the other team were chuckling too, extending hands to help him up.
Siwoo grabbed one, let out an awkward "hehehe," dusted the dirt off his butt, and stood.
The hard-fought game wrapped up. The sweat-drenched kids clustered at the faucet, rinsing off and cooling down.
"Man, so close. If Park Geon hadn't pulled that insane overhead kick..."
Siwoo grumbled, shaking out his soaked, messy hair under the running water.
Park Geon, chugging from the faucet nearby, bugged his eyes out in disbelief and sprayed water right at Siwoo.
"Ack!"
"Wow, Namjin. You're blaming others so smooth now? You've grown, kid."
"All thanks to my master teacher. Who'd ya think I learned it from?"
Siwoo fired back without missing a beat. Park Geon barked a hollow laugh and slapped Juwon's shoulder.
"This guy's the same punk who couldn't meet my eyes before, all scared. You've raised a little tiger."
"Right? Looks good on ya. Which means..."
Juwon grinned and clamped down on Siwoo's skinny arm.
"Gotta hit the gym today too, yeah? Mouth's got energy, so body's got some left."
"Uh...? But you said soccer today means no workout..."
Siwoo's cocky face from seconds ago froze solid.
After Im Hyunsu's meltdown, one change stood out most in Siwoo's routine.
The day after getting that solid nod of approval from his friends on the sunset-lit stands...
Siwoo marched up to Juwon and Park Geon on his own, bowed deep, and made a dead-serious request.
"Teach me how to work out."
The workout maniacs' eyes lit up like crazy at the earnest plea. From then on, Siwoo trained brutally every day under their personal watch.
Dragged kicking and screaming to the beat-up local gym, Park Geon put him through merciless hell. Juwon just smiled and counted reps.
Staggering home on quivering legs, stairs were agony the next morning.
Siwoo's vow to toughen up and carry himself with confidence was noble. But the monsters' training regimen? Way harsher than he'd dreamed.
"Confiscating the fried junk. Protein diet starts today."
Lunchtime. Park Geon swiped the precious spring rolls off Siwoo's fresh tray—for some ridiculous reason—and shoved them in his own mouth.
"My spring rolls!"
Broad-shoulder muscle dude or forever an anchovy the wind'll blow away. Pick one."
Siwoo pouted at the ironclad illogic, his gaze flicking unconsciously to Iseol across the table, eating quietly.
Her cool, pretty eyes met his. That sparked a flicker of pride—no way he'd stay an anchovy.
"C'mon, even one spring roll..."
Siwoo whined at his tray. Park Geon and Juwon just cackled and teased him mercilessly.
"Ugh... why'd it have to be today?"
After school. As kids grabbed bags and bolted excitedly, four long-faced students lingered in the hall.
Park Geon clutched the sopping mop, pouting.
Cleaning duty roster.
Class 1: Juwon and Siwoo. Class 2: Iseol. Class 4: Park Geon. Hallway volunteers.
"Less yapping, more wiping. Don't wanna go home late 'cause of you."
Iseol hiked her sleeves, scrubbing black dust from the window frame with wet wipes. Cold snap.
Siwoo chased dust bunnies with the broom, sweating bullets.
Juwon half-assed the mop, sulking hard.
"You signed up to clean with us 'cause you like it, but now you're nagging?"
Iseol's brow twitched at Park Geon's jab.
She balled up the filthy wipe and stalked toward him.
"Say it again."
"Ah, sorry! Joke! Total joke!"
Park Geon shrieked, ditched the mop, and fled. Iseol pursued in fierce, childish chase.
Juwon watched from afar, chin on mop handle, chuckling softly.
"Sigh, energy for days. Kids probably snagged seats already?"
"Yeah. Let's wrap and bounce."
Siwoo wiped brow sweat on his hand, stretched his aching back after clearing every speck of trash and dust.
Dasom and Chaerin—minus the cleaners—headed to the PC bang with Jiyoon leading.
A spot she'd nagged to hit forever. Rare sight: Jiyoon's eyes sparkling.
"Hoo..."
Late afternoon breeze wafted through the open window, teasing Siwoo's bangs.
"...Hold up."
Juwon—who'd been staring—stepped right up to Siwoo.
"Huh?"
"Stay put. No moving."
Swoosh.
Juwon's big hand shot to Siwoo's face, yanking off the thick horn-rims in a flash.
Vision blurred instantly. Siwoo blinked in panic.
Juwon scrutinized bare-faced Siwoo, rubbing his chin like a critic.
"Hmm... Dude, you look way better without 'em."
Siwoo's weak eyes strained to focus, brow furrowing.
Hazy yet subtly sharp gaze.
Those eyes, always cramped and dimmed by thick lenses? Actually long, refreshingly horizontal. Juwon saw it now.
"Heyyy... quit messing around, gimme back. Can't see shit without 'em..."
Siwoo groped blindly at Juwon's hand. Juwon smirked mischievously and plopped the glasses back on his nose.
"Get contacts later. Or lasik."
"Outta nowhere? Glasses are fine..."
Juwon leaned in, voice low.
"Prickly Iseol might see ya different then. Wanna look good to your crush visually too, right?"
"...!"
Siwoo's face went beet red.
He whipped around. Luckily, Iseol was deep in punishing Park Geon, cornered far down the hall.
"Dude...! What if she hears?!"
"She hears, she hears. Won't bat an eye."
"Still... after Im Hyunsu mess, she's probably rattled..."
Juwon snorted at the sweet concern, clapping his shoulder.
"Bet she forgot Im Hyunsu already. Name wiped from her brain."
"You two slacking instead of cleaning?"
Voice sent chills down their spines.
Iseol—Park Geon subdued—loomed behind, arms crossed.
"Uh, no! Dust done, just trash and wrap-up!"
"Y-yeah! Flawless finish! PC bang now! Jiyoon's waiting!"
Siwoo and Juwon scrambled, stashed tools, and bolted.
"Hey, you disloyal bastards! Wait up!"
Park Geon huffed after them.
Alone in the empty hall, Iseol narrowed her eyes at Siwoo's retreating back.